In the study, the ITTC details the wide ranging activities being carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas, to increase and upgrade its arsenal, and train and recruit militant fighters in order to attack Israel.
The study notes that:
Hamas's military buildup includes:
i) Increasing the size of its forces, which today are estimated at 20,000 armed operatives directly subordinate to Hamas or who can be integrated into its forces in an emergency;
ii) Reorganizing its forces into semi-military formations;
iii) Carrying out large-scale training operations both in the Gaza Strip and beyond, primarily in Iran and Syria;
iv) Supplying advanced weapons, especially improved rockets (which can reach Ashqelon and beyond) and advanced anti-tank weapons of the types used by Hezbollah (such as Konkurs and Sagger missiles);
v) Improving command and control of the forces deployed throughout the Strip;
vi) Preparing the ground for defense, including underground systems for fighting and concealment throughout the Strip;
vii) Developing powerful IEDs and placing them near roads (such as the Shawaz self-made EFP) and various locations where fighting against the IDF is expected.”
Full report (pdf)
The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center opened in 2001. It is part of the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC), an NGO dedicated to the memory of the fallen of the Israeli Intelligence Community and it is located near Gelilot, north of Tel Aviv. It is headed by (Col. Ret.) Dr. Reuven Erlich.