Hamas has replenished rocket arsenal since 2014 war: Israel

3/4/2016 6:49:49 PM

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) >Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has replenished its rocket arsenal which was depleted during the last Gaza conflict in mid-2014 according to Israeli military sources cited by the Israeli media Friday.

According to Israel’s Walla news website one and a half years after the conflict Hamas has fully replenished its arsenal of some 12000 rockets including long-range ones.

During the 51-day conflict in 2014 Hamas fired some 4600 rockets while another 4000 were destroyed by the Israeli air force leaving Hamas with one third of its original arsenal according to the website.

While neither confirming nor denying the Israeli assertions leading Hamas member Mahmoud al-Zahar told Anadolu Agency that Hamas was continuing to develop its military capabilities in case Israel planned to launch another onslaught against Gaza.

"Developing our rocket arsenal is necessary for maintaining the balance of terror between us and Israel" he said.

"Hamas doesn’t want another war with Israel but at the same time we don’t fear the prospect" he added.

"The [Palestinian] resistance must maintain its strength at all times" he said. "Israel won’t ask anyone’s permission before launching another onslaught."

In July and August of 2014 Israel carried out a weeks-long offensive against the Gaza Strip with the ostensible aim of staunching rocket fire from the blockaded coastal enclave.

Over 2160 Palestinians mostly civilians were killed -- and some 11000 injured -- in the ensuing conflict which finally ended with a cease-fire deal.

At least 73 Israelis -- 68 soldiers and five civilians -- were also killed during the 51-day war.

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