Hamas Brigades: 2012 Changed Rules of War

       GAZA CITY, 12 Shafar 1434 /25 December 2012 (Ma’an/MINA) – Hamas’ armed wing on Monday hailed 2012 as the year that changed the rules of its confrontation with Israel.

     “Though this distinction was not exclusive to this year, I can understand that its outcome appeared this year, namely by mid-November during the new battle as resistance made unprecedented achievements,” al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Ubayda told Ma’an.

      Abu Ubayda said sending rockets to populated areas of Israel was one of the group’s distinctive achievements of the year.

      In November, during Israel’s 8-day war on the Gaza Strip, the al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for firing projectiles at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

      Resistance groups worked together during the war and agreed on a joint strategy, maintaining a high level of tactical cooperation, Abu Ubayda added.

      Fighters used different weapons for various targets, he explained.

      Several types of anti-tank missiles were used in addition to roadside and underground explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, homemade projectiles, Fajr-5 missiles, Katyusha missiles, mortar shells, locally-manufactured M75 missiles as well as anti-aircraft missiles, the spokesman said.

     Over 170 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in the war, which began with Israel’s assassination of al-Qassam Brigades leader Ahmad Jaabari and ended with a ceasefire on Nov. 21.

      Six Israelis, including two soldiers, were killed in rocket strikes, the Israeli police and military said. (T/R-012/R-006)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)