Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has recruited an estimated 30,000 young men from Gaza into its ranks in recent weeks, according to a report aired Sunday by the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news channel. Citing Palestinian sources, the network reported that most of the recruits had undergone training in clandestine military camps run by Hamas, though it was unclear whether such camps are still operational amid Israel’s ongoing offensive. The report suggested the new fighters were primarily trained in guerrilla tactics, rocket fire, and the planting of explosives, but possess limited formal military training. No precise timeline was given for the recruitment effort, though the report is believed to refer to recent developments since the collapse of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal in January. Facing mounting losses and severe supply shortages, Hamas is reportedly recycling unexploded Israeli ordnance to manufacture improvised explosive devices and other weapons. According to the Al Arabiya report, the group is struggling to replenish its arsenal of drones and long-range rockets, many of which were depleted during earlier phases of the war. Since March 18, the IDF says it has targeted over 1,400 Hamas-linked sites throughout Gaza. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry — figures which remain unreliable and unverified — more than 1,500 people have been killed during that period, bringing the ministry’s total reported death toll to over 51,000 since the war began last October. Israel has declared its intent to expand its ground operations and carve out what officials describe as “security zones” within Gaza. The enclave has been under near-total blockade for the past six weeks, with Israel halting the entry of food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)