GAZA CITY: Hamas's armed wing said on Monday it lost only 48 fighters during Israel's 22-day operation in Gaza and vowed to fight on unless the Jewish state withdrew its forces from the Palestinian enclave. The group also claimed to capture two Israeli soldiers.
"We announce to our people the martyrdom of 48 Qassam fighters," Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said in a televised press conference.
Israel reported killing more than 500 Hamas members during Operation Cast Lead, which it launched on Gaza on December 27 and ended on Sunday with a ceasefire.
Gaza medics said a total of more than 1,300 Palestinians have died.
Abu Obeida also claimed that Israel lost "at least 80 soldiers" in the fighting. The Jewish state listed 10 soldiers killed.
Abu Obeida listed the projectiles Hamas fired at Israel during the war as 345 Qassam rockets, 213 Grad rockets and 422 mortar shells.
Israel's efforts, backed by the United States and European leaders, to prevent Hamas from re-arming, would also fail, Abu Obeida said.
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