Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 12, 2009 Tevet 16, 5769 | | Israel Time: 10:09 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 18:02 11/01/2009
MI Chief: Hamas hurt in Gaza, but group unlikely to surrender
By The Associated Press
Tags: Hamas, Israel, Gaza 

Two of Israel's top defense officials said Sunday that Hamas' infrastructure and personnel have been badly damaged by Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip, but felt certain the group would fight on.



Military Intelligence chief Major General Amos Yadlin told the Cabinet on Sunday that the Islamist organization's ability to fight has been hurt by the devastating assault Israel launched Dec. 27.
Advertisement
He said Hamas was now suffering from ammunition shortages and has been hard hit by the deaths of senior militants.

But despite this, Yadlin said the group is not expected to raise a white flag. Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin told the Cabinet that many Gazans were furious with Hamas for bringing a disaster on Gaza.

The officials' comments Sunday were relayed to the press by Israel's Cabinet secretary, Oved Yehezkel.

Yehezkel also told reporters that Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip were hiding in foreign diplomatic missions in an effort to elude Israeli forces.

"The leaders of Hamas and the armed wing are hiding in bunkers, hospitals and foreign missions," Yehezkel said, basing his information on an intelligence briefing received by ministers.

He did not name the missions. Few countries have diplomatic missions in Gaza and even Egypt has withdrawn its staff.

The United Nations says it keeps Hamas militants out of the schools, clinics and other institutions it runs there.

Hamas leaders went to ground and cut communications with journalists when Israel launched its 16-day-old war on Dec. 27 with air strikes on their homes and many other targets.

Even the spokesmen for the Islamist movement have become hard to reach, frequently changing their mobile telephone numbers, but occasionally responding to text messages - if the increasingly unreliable network provides a signal.

"Fear is the last thing we could be accused of," Hamas parliamentarian Mushir al-Masri said on Sunday. "Martyrdom is our dearest wish, but God has ordered us not to pose ourselves as easy prey for our enemies."

Israel has assassinated many Hamas leaders in the past, notably its Gaza chief and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and his successor, Abdul-Aziz al-Rantissi, in 2004.

Since then, Hamas has kept the identity of its Gaza leader a
closely guarded secret.

Fatah-affiliated Web site: Senior Hamas military commanders fled to Egypt
An Internet site affiliated with Fatah reported Sunday that top ranking members of Hamas' military have escaped to Egypt.

According to the report, some of the most senior commanders of the military wing, including Ra'ad al-Atar, commander of Hamas' military wing in Rafah, and Mohammad Sanwar, commander of Azz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Khan Yunis and one of the militants reportedly behind the abduction of Israel Defense Forcers soldier Gilad Shalit, managed to flee to the Sinai town of el-Arish.

According to the report, other Hamas seniors, including Yichi al-Abassi, a member of the Hamas government in Gaza, also crossed into Egypt. The report has not been verified by Israeli sources.


Related articles:
  • IDF: Hamas fighters beginning to desert; army steps up Gaza offensive
  • Abbas: Israel responsible for 'waterfall of blood' if it rejects Gaza truce
  • Protesters turn violent, clash with police at anti-Israel rallies
  • Israel rejects UN truce resolution, says Gaza operation to continue
  • EU said readying plan to restore Fatah-led PA rule over Gaza crossings
  • Hamas claims it hit IAF base 27km from Tel Aviv
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    IDF warns Gazans
    The IDF is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths by warning of impending attacks.
    Pro-Israel rallies
    Thousands attend pro-Israel rallies across Europe, N.Y.
      1.   Not all tunnels are yet destroyed? 16:33  |  Vital 11/01/09
      2.   Thanks to the U.S. 16:39  |  George 11/01/09
      3.   white flag? 16:39  |  cesare 11/01/09
      4.   So no surrender 17:39  |  Chris Linthwaite 11/01/09
      5.   gaza citizens 17:39  |  shimon 11/01/09
      6.   #2 playing the baby card 18:03  |  larzbeach 11/01/09
      7.   hamas 18:06  |  Bruce 11/01/09
      8.   Hamas like all... 18:09  |  Bill 11/01/09
      9.   For Cesare # 3 18:09  |  Clickfool 11/01/09
      10.   Cesare - how it will end? 18:10  |  Orkochav 11/01/09
      11.   George 18:15  |  lady from USA 11/01/09
      12.   gaza citizens must revolt against hamas 18:18  |  consorts 11/01/09
      13.   Thanks to the USA 18:20  |  Smith 11/01/09
      14.   Set Your Own Price 18:21  |  Chevroni 11/01/09
      15.   IDF Kicking Butt..Wake up and smeel the coffee Chevroni 18:58  |  Mr. Z. 11/01/09
      16.   Reliable sources 19:01  |  Palestinian 11/01/09
      17.   The same that rejoiced and partied at the deaths of 3000 of 9/11 19:56  |  De 11/01/09
      18.   The appears to be much wishfull thinking going on. 01:14  |  Johnboy 12/01/09
      19.   FOOTAGES OF DEAD AND WOUNDED BABIES AND WOMEN IN GAZA 09:28  |  INEM SADE 12/01/09
     Read & React
    Legal expert: Rising Gaza death toll doesn't mean IDF acts are disproportionate
    Responses: 14
    Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza
    Responses: 14
    IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op
    Responses: 7
    Gideon Levy: Israel's leaders will pay the price for the bloodshed in Gaza
    Responses: 1
    Aluf Benn: Israel has a double standard when it comes to UN resolutions
    Responses: 1


    More Headlines
    09:54 IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op
    08:25 ANALYSIS / Perhaps Israel should quit Gaza op while it's still ahead
    08:34 Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza
    09:55 On Day 17 of op, IDF bombs dozens of targets across Gaza
    08:28 Barak and Livni disagree with Olmert, want quick end to Gaza fighting
    05:25 Amira Hass / Gazans doing their best to avoid becoming death statistics
    09:40 Legal expert: Rising Gaza death toll doesn't mean IDF acts are disproportionate
    08:36 IDF clips of Gaza offensive are fourth biggest hit on YouTube
    10:05 Israel's 'Waltz with Bashir' wins Golden Globe for best foreign film
    18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    09:03 U.S. Army: Probe of alleged spy for Israel has nothing to do with his religion
    22:37 WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo
    07:26 Egypt: Hamas agrees that fighting in Gaza must end
    23:47 IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op
    22:11 WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack
    19:27 Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza
    09:01 Israel arrests 700 people, mostly Arabs, in protests against IDF Gaza op
    09:40 Report: Madonna receives death threats from Muslim extremists
    05:55 Joe the Plumber trades his wrench for a reporter's notepad in Sderot
    03:18 Dead Sea makes candidate list for 'seven natural wonders'
    19:32 Gaza rocket hits playground in Ashdod, amid barrage on Negev
    17:34 IDF soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence
    21:48 Obama: Gaza war underscores need for immediate Mideast solution
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved