GAZA, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Hamas, for the first time, said 250 of its operatives were killed by Israel during the military offensive in Gaza last year.
Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hammad told the London based al-Hayat newspaper Monday "police officers" killed in the three-week Operation Cast Lead offensive included 250 Hamas fighters.
"On the first day of the war, Israel targeted police stations and 250 martyrs who were part of Hamas and the various factions fell ... as well as 150 security personnel," he said.
Months after the offensive, Hamas had said only 50 of its operatives were killed by Israeli soldiers. Israel said 13 of its civilians and soldiers were killed during the offensive. Hammad, however, accused Israel of purposely deflating the numbers and said 50 Israelis were killed.
Hammad said Hamas is prepared to wage a war against Israel but ruled out an escalation anytime soon.
"Israel has always sought to escalate the situation in Gaza in order to wage a war and we are not afraid of war … . We expect that there are wars to come but the international situation and the regional situation is not suitable for war at the present time," he told the newspaper.
Israel launched the offensive in December 2008 in an effort to halt the constant firing of Qassam rockets and mortar shells at southern Israeli communities. Between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed, Israeli officials said.
UPI
