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Hamas Steps Up Recruitment of Fighters to Meet Shortage

(Al-Monitor) Hazem Balousha - Almost daily in most regions in the Gaza Strip, Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades militants perform military parades. Masked militants hold light weapons and miniature versions of missiles and aircraft that the Brigades claim to have developed and manufactured locally and used in their confrontation with Israel. Large signs in the main cities praise Hamas' military capabilities during the latest war. Sculptures of missiles and aircraft are placed in key squares. Al-Qassam organized military training camps for boys and young men, dubbed the "vanguards of liberation camps," during the students' midterm break in January and during their summer vacation in August. A well-informed source in the Hamas leadership discussed its recruiting strategy with Al-Monitor: "Few young men are attracted through mosques and the preaching department, but through al-Qassam Brigades summer camps and other popular activities, attracting young men became faster and more effective. Al-Qassam Brigades need fighters, not preachers, since there is a shortage in fighters as a result of successive wars. This shortage must not only be compensated for, but rather the number of fighters must be increased." Another source in the al-Qassam Brigades' leadership said: "The decline in the number of fighters is not only due to wars and military confrontations, but there is also the time factor. Members are getting older and are no longer physically fit to serve as fighters on the front lines. We are in dire need of younger fighters. Summer camps are a very suitable place to get to know young people and practically test their abilities, physical strength and desire to become militants."
2015-09-18 00:00:00
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