Hamas probe 'to unveil military failings over Gaza'

LONDON (AFP) – Hamas has launched a probe which is expected to be extremely critical of the failures of its military wing during the recent Gaza offensive, the respected Jane's Defense Weekly magazine said Monday.

Citing an unnamed top Hamas military commander, Jane's said a full report due soon would be critical of almost every decision taken by battlefield commanders during the 22-day assault, which ended last week.

The source quoted by Jane's added that Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal and his followers had effectively pushed for a conflict that it was not ready for.

The report will highlight the losses of interior minister Said Siam and around 50 of Hamas's top explosives experts as among the most significant.

Hamas's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and intelligence department have admitted shortcomings in how they responded to Israeli attacks, Jane's added, which Palestinian officials say killed over 1,300 people.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said last week that it lost only 48 fighters during Israel's Operation Cast Lead, although Israel has reported killing more than 500 Hamas members.

Heavy criticism has been leveled at Ezzedine al-Qassam commanders who unilaterally declared an end to the truce with Israel on December 19, even though conflict preparations such as building a new safe communications network were incomplete, Jane's said.

The investigation will also reportedly look at why fighters were unable to achieve many of their defensive aims.

London-based Jane's highlighted the failure to defend the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood and the weak response to Israeli naval forces.

The news came as European Union (EU) aid commissioner Louis Michel toured war-torn Gaza, labeling conditions "abominable" and saying that its "terrorist" Hamas rulers bear responsibility for the fighting.