MI Chief: Hamas hurt in Gaza, but it will fight on

      Two of Israel's top defense officials said Sunday that Hamas' infrastructure and personnel have been badly damaged by Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip, but felt certain the group would fight on. Military Intelligence chief Major General Amos Yadlin told the Cabinet on Sunday that the Islamist organization's ability to fight has been hurt by the devastating assault Israel launched Dec. 27. He said Hamas was now suffering from ammunition shortages and has been hard hit by the deaths of senior militants. But despite this, Yadlin said the group is not expected to raise a white flag. Shin Bet security service chief Yuval Diskin told the Cabinet that many Gazans were furious with Hamas for bringing a disaster on Gaza. The officials' comments Sunday were relayed to the press by Israel's Cabinet secretary, Oved Yehezkel. Yehezkel also told reporters that Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip were hiding in foreign diplomatic missions in an effort to elude Israeli forces. "The leaders of Hamas and the armed wing are hiding in bunkers, hospitals and foreign missions," Yehezkel said, basing his information on an intelligence briefing received by ministers. He did not name the missions. (17,32)