Following is information furnished by the IDF based on intelligence reports.

It is estimated that Hamas’ army numbers 16,000. This includes two brigades stretched out along the border and 6 brigades deep inside Gaza responsible for bombs, mines, anti-tank and anti-aircraft fire and weapons tunnels.

Hamas has 32,000 Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles, 2,000 rockets, 4,000 RPGs, 120 tons of explosives, 200-300 bobby-trapped tunnels [to detonate under foot soldiers], 15 armored personnel carriers and other armored vehicles, dozens of jeeps equipped with heavy machineguns, and tens of 120mm mortar shells.

POPULATION OF HAMAS CONTROLLED AREAS OF GAZA

Beit Hanoun – 50,000 residents. Location for rocket launches into Ashkelon.

Beit Lahiya – 25,000 residents. Location of rocket launches into Sderot.

Jabalya Refugee Camp – 150,000 residents. Many weapons storage facilities and rocket launches to Nachal Oz and Sderot. Jabalya is also extremely densely populated and presents much risk to infantry troops who will be engaged in difficult urban warfare.

Shati Refugee Camp – Home of Hamas PM Ismail Haniyah.

Gaza City – 500,000 residents. The Hamas strategic command center.

Sajayieh – 60,000 residents. A major Hamas training base.

Nusirat Refugee Camp – 65,000 residents. A Kassam launching base and Hamas logistical center.

Dir el-Balah – 24,000 residents. Hamas training camp.

Bureij Refugee Camp – 35,000 residents. Kassam launching base.

Qurarra – 15,000 residents. A launching point for armed Hamas troops.

Khan Yunis – 70,000 residents. Hamas military facilities. Launching location to target Kissufim area.

Rafiah Refugee Camp – 100,000 residents. Major weapons storage and distribution center.  Point of connection to underground weapons tunnels to Gaza.

Philadelphi Route – the border between Hamas-controlled Gaza and Egypt under which hundreds of tunnels have been established for the smuggling of weapons, ammunition and supplies.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)