TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Senior Israeli officials warn that Hamas is using a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to strengthen its military capabilities, Ha'artez reported Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Sami Turjeman, head of the military's General Staff operations doctorate, told a parliamentary committee Monday Hamas has improved its sniper and anti-tank capabilities.
"In another few months, in the Gaza Strip we will have to deal with military capabilities of the terror organizations that we haven't been familiar with until now, especially in the realm of anti-tank missiles," he said.
He warned the abilities of Palestinian militants in the Gaza were reaching a semi-military level.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Amir Peretz has called for a rethink of government policy in regard to Palestinian militants firing Qassam rockets into Israel.
Under current policy Israeli Defense Forces are not permitted to pre-emptively fire upon Palestinians who appear to be preparing to launch rockets into Israel.
According to the report, the group Islamic Jihad has continued firing rockets since the Nov. 26 cease-fire in the Gaza although the number of attacks have been fewer in number.
