Gaza op: Most detainees not Hamas men
Defense officials disappointed by low number of terrorists apprehended in wake of Gaza incursion
Despite the accomplishments boasted by the defense establishment in respect to the military operation in Gaza, it appears the IDF has failed to detain a significant number of Hamas terrorists.
In 10 days of fighting in the Gaza Strip, more than 200 Palestinians have been arrested and brought to Israel for questioning. But to the dismay of defense officials, fewer than 30 have been found to have connections to Hamas or any other terror organization.
As part of the preparation for the operation in Gaza, the IDF had planned to establish the judiciary facility in order to interrogate and classify detainees. However, despite the hundreds of arrests, only 20-30 Palestinians remain under suspicion of engaging in any type of terrorist activity.
Military judges who had been appointed to preside over the trials of the numerous detainees have not been called upon, and the prisoners that remain under suspicion are scheduled to be brought to Beersheba for hearings. Meanwhile, they are being interrogated by IDF intelligence and Shin Bet officials.
IDF officials said the arrests of several terrorists during the operation provided forces with crucial information that may have saved lives. One example is a Hamas map discovered by troops last week that revealed the placement of explosive devices in al-Atatra, in the northern Gaza Strip.
"A large number of terrorists were killed or injured in clashes with IDF soldiers, and others were arrested," a military official said. "We have no target for the number arrests, only orders to do so when possible."
