[On June 4, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority continued to clash in
the West Bank. PA forces and a Hamas cell engaged in a gun battle in the
West Bank city of Kaliklya, where six people had been killed on May 31.]
Hamas police spokesman Islam Shahwan told the briefing that the police
and military infrastructure was destroyed by Israeli air strikes. Shahwan
said 100 police and security facilities were struck by an Israel Air Force
armada of 60 F-16 multi-role fighters in late December 2008. Only five
security posts were spared.
The damage was said to have included 65 police stations and 35 Executive
Force and Civil Defense compounds. Shahwan said these buildings were
destroyed and forced Hamas officers to operate from their homes.
Shahwan said Hamas has determined that it would require $400 million to
rebuild the security facilities. He said Israel has not allowed the entry of
construction material or equipment into the Gaza Strip.
"There were around 105 security posts in Gaza Strip; the oldest and the
biggest security compound was called Al Saraya security service compound in
the middle of Gaza City," Shahwan said. "It is now a pile of rubble."
In May 2009, the Interior Ministry held an exercise that simulated an
Israeli air attack on the Gaza Strip. Officials said the exercise was meant
to test the resiliency of Hamas police, fire and emergency services.
"We have an emergency plan as a precaution to protect ourselves and our
people from any further attacks," Shahwan said.
Hamas has reported a 13,000 member security force in the Gaza Strip,
with a population of 1.5 million. Officials said 9,000 were listed as
police officers, with the rest working for the security services.
"We believe that we are still able to control our work and perform quite
well despite many difficulties, such as losing most of our posts and
vehicles," Shahwan said. "But step by step we will rebuild our service
again."
