Hamas has been preparing for war through upgrading its strategy, its tactical capabilities and by smuggling 
The jihadists are applying lessons learned during the conflict.
weapons. Meanwhile, the jihadist organization issued threats to take more Israelis captive.
A leader of Hamas, which controls the Gaza half of the Palestinian Authority, warned Saturday that "if Israel does not accept the demands to free 1,450 prisoners for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, [Hamas'] al-Qassam [Brigades] would kidnap more soldiers," according to the Gaza-based Palestine Today.
"The Hamas movement is not intending to make any concessions concerning its demands to finalize the prisoners exchange deal, and if this soldier (Shalit) is not enough, we will kidnap more," said Ra'ed al-Attar, a senior leader in Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades.
The prestigious Jane's Defense Weekly reported last week that Hamas has been updating its capabilities ever since the end of Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. A senior Hamas official is quoted by the defense journal as explaining that the jihadists are applying lessons learned during the conflict, in which they lost hundreds of fighters. An internal Hamas investigation has shown that the group's fighters displayed "weakness and fear [when confronted] by a real war," Jane's reports.
Plans for improvement include the adoption of new techniques and training, according to the Hamas source. Specifically cited in Jane's are intentions to focus on improved anti-armor capabilities and to remove 50 commanders who performed poorly during the battles with the IDF. According to the weekly, Hamas also has "plans for new logistical supply lines and a modern satellite communications network."
The head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA; Shin Bet), Yuval Diskin, confirmed on Sunday that Hamas is continuing to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian Authority by way of the Sinai tunnels. According to Diskin, the organization has been successful in bringing in large quantities of weapons, ammunition and explosives.
