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Hamas Desperate for Manpower, Enlists 16-Year-Olds
(Israel Hayom) Shachar Kleiman - Hamas is struggling to fill its ranks with new recruits, after nearly half of its members, more than 14,000, have been eliminated so far. The number of new Hamas recruits is estimated by Israel at hundreds in the past two months. Its control over the territory is deteriorating, with local clans seizing control of humanitarian aid distribution. Yoni Ben Menachem, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, said, "most of the recruits are teenagers aged 16 and above, whom Hamas' military wing is recruiting in exchange for payment....These youngsters know the terrain well and run fast." At this stage, Hamas is still in the "twilight phase" - the transition from a military force with near-absolute rule to a guerrilla organization with limited capabilities.