Hamas establishes naval defense force in Gaza

Source: Ynetnews, 9-8-2007
Group officials tell Ynet newly built force will secure Strip`s coast, fight off "Israeli"
Forces vessels and prevent fishermen`s collaboration with "Israeli" ships. Force does not own ships, but has heavy machine guns and mortars.
Hamas has established a new naval defense force, headed by one of the group`s senior commanders Jamil al-Dahashan that will be entrusted with guarding the Gaza Strip coast, Ynet has recently learned.
The force, which does not as yet own any marine vessels, is aimed at securing the shores from "Israeli" Forces marine operations as well as criminal activity of drug dealers.
The force will also try to prevent collaboration of Palestinians with the "Israeli" Forces. According to Hamas, several local fishermen admitted in recent weeks to relaying information to "Israeli" Forces ships.
A Hamas official told Ynet that the force`s members have already deployed several heavy machine guns and mortars along the beaches to be used against "Israeli" Forces vessels if they approach the Strip. He admitted that the force would not be able to match the abilities of the "Israeli" Navy, but stated that it would attempt to intervene in its operations.
Since Hamas` takeover of the Strip, the "Israeli" Forces has kept away from Gaza`s shores, he added.
"The ‘Israelis' have stopped firing, even at Palestinian fishermen boats like they used to," he said. "I think they know that Hamas fighters and the new naval force have in their possession some of the security forces` heavy artillery, seized during the Strip`s takeover."
According to the official, the new force is made up of Hamas members and members of the organizations affiliated with the group, including some who had served in the Palestinian Authority Navy in the past.