Hamas: We killed 80; Lost 48

Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, insisted on Monday, 19, that 22 days of massive Israeli attacks failed to weaken its forces, giving specific figures of its losses and gains in the war. "We confirm the martyrdom of 48 Qassam fighters in the Israeli attacks," Abu Obeida, Al-Qassam spokesman, told local, Arab and international reporters in downtown Gaza City. He refuted Israeli claims of killing more than 500 Hamas members during its three-week Operation Cast Lead or taking any prisoners. "None of our fighters has been detained by the Israeli occupation forces," insisted a defiant Abu Obeida.

The Hamas military wing insisted it has not only been able to withstand the Israeli offensive, but accomplish some successes for itself. "We have counted closely and accurately the death of 49 Israeli soldiers and injury of hundreds others after being directly hit by our fire," Abu Obeida told reporters. "Others were killed in our mortar attacks on soldiers gatherings, targeting of tanks, sniping of soldiers," he added. "So we estimate that no less than 80 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the battlefield."

As was the case with the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah, Hamas' estimate will be quietly confirmed by Israel in about a year...