Israeli strikes HAMAS convoy in Sudan

January Israeli airstrike in Sudan destroys a convoy carrying arms from Iran to HAMAS.

Source: The Times (UK)

Hamas tried to hijack ambulances

Ambulance personnel: Hamas made several attempts to hijack hospital’s ambulances, even at gunpoint. Israel coordinated with ambulances to pick up patients for safety.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)

Gazans say Hamas kept them in homes used by gunmen

Gazans accuse Hamas of keeping them inhomes while gunmen shoot at IDF. IDF criticizes Hamas’ use of women and children as “monstrous” and accused Hamas of booby-trapping civilians’ homes.

Source: Haaretz

Palestinian civilians have accused Hamas of forcing them to stay in homes from which gunmen shot at Israeli soldiers during the recent hostilities in Gaza, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported Thursday.

More than 1,250 Palestinians were reportedly killed during Israel’s offensive against Hamas in the coastal territory. Israel has been harshly criticized for the large number of civilians among the Palestinian dead, of whom they numbered more than half according Gaza officials.

But the Italian paper also quoted a doctor at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital as disputing the number of Palestinians said to have been killed in the campaign.

“It’s possible that the death toll in Gaza was 500 or 600 at the most, mainly youths aged 17 to 23 who were enlisted by Hamas – who sent them to their deaths,” he said.

13 Israelis were also killed during the 3-week operation, which was aimed at halting rocket fire on southern Israel and destroying Hamas’ infrastructure.

The Gaza doctor was further quoted as saying: “Perhaps it is like Jenin in 2002. At the beginning they spoke about 1,500 dead, and at the end it turned out to be only 54 – of whom 45 were militants.”

He was referring to the Israel Defense Forces battle with Palestinian militants in the West Bank town that took place during Operation Defensive Shield at the height of the second intifada.

Top IDF officer: Hamas made ‘monstrous’ use of children during Gaza op

The IDF Gaza Division Commander on Thursday, meanwhile, branded Hamas’ use of women and children during the offensive in Gaza as “monstrous” and “inhumane.”

Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg said the civilians were sent by Hamas to transfer weapons to gunmen during the offensive. He also accused the Islamist militant group of booby-trapping many of the civilians’ homes.

“Entire families in Gaza lived on top of a barrel of explosives for months without knowing,” Eisenberg said.

The officer asserted that despite international calls for investigations into alleged war crimes, the Israel Defense Forces soldiers adhered to moral principles while fighting in Gaza.

Hamas 'Iranian Unit' destroyed

Palestian sources reveal that most of Hamas’ 100-member unit trained by the IRGC in Lebanon and Iran have been killed. Members snuck into Gaza through Egypt. Iran is preparing for an end to the fighting.

Source: Haaretz (Israel)

Top Hamas leaders killed in Israeli air strike

Israeli air strike kills Hamas interior minister, the head of general security, as well as the head of Hamas’ military wing. 

Source: Adnkronos (Italy)

More rockets from Lebanon, Hamas refuses ceasefire

Five rockets are launched from Lebanon. One hits Israeli retirement home, injuring several. Hamas will not meet Egypt’s ceasefire proposals. US blocks second UN Security Council Resolution ordering immediate ceasefire. Hamas tries to keep Palestinians from fleeing refugee camps. IDF poised to destroy Hamas’ smuggling tunnels.

Source: DEBKAfile

Hamas uses school to fire at Israeli troops

Hamas fires mortars at Israeli military from school; Israeli troops return fire, killing 30, including two senior operatives.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Hamas legitimizes murder of Jewish children

Hamas responds to Israel’s attack by legitimizing the murder of Jewish children worldwide. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel.

Source: Times Online (UK)

Israel invades Gaza

After eight days of airstrikes failed to stop Hamas rocket attacks, Israel invades Gaza. U.S. refuses to back demand for immediate truce drafted by Libya.

Source: Reuters

Israel bombs more targets, kills third Hamas leader

Israeli planes strike more than 40 targets on Saturday and killed a  commander of the Hamas armed wing.

Source: Haaretz