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Source: https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-combat-performance-of-hamas-in-the-gaza-war-of-2014
The Combat Performance of Hamas in the 2014 Gaza War
(Combating Terrorism Center-West Point) Jeffrey White - Major improvements by Hamas in its latest war with Israel included: enhanced range and numbers of rockets, improved protection of its military infrastructure from Israeli attack, a system of offensive and defensive tunnels, and increased effectiveness and cohesion of its ground combat forces. These improvements allowed Hamas to conduct sustained strikes deep inside Israel, to conduct offensive ground actions inside Israel, and to present significant opposition to Israel's ground incursion. Nevertheless, its rocket offensive caused few casualties and little damage. Its offensive tunnel system did not lead to successful penetration of the border defense system, except perhaps in one case. Despite the defensive tunnel system, Israeli forces caused extensive damage to Hamas' military infrastructure and Hamas' ground forces were unable to prevent IDF ground operations. The writer, a former senior U.S. defense intelligence officer, is a defense fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.