Hamas declares victory in Gaza claiming it lost only 48 fightersA masked gunman from the Islamic group's armed wing vowed the groups would rearm as its leaders proclaimed it had achieved a holy victory in the confrontation.
"We announce to our people the martyrdom of 48 Qassam fighters," Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades said.
The frontman, whose face was wrapped in an Arab Keffiyah scarf, dismissed Israeli attempts to stop weapons smuggling into Gaza, a declared aim of the war.
"We have pulled out the bodies of 15 children and women from under their house," said Abed Sharafi, 40.
"They were so badly decomposed that we couldn't distinguish boys from girls. Some had been there for 15 days," along the road north from Gaza City to Beit Lahiya. "There are so many."
Nearly 100 bodies were recovered on Sunday as the truce came into effect.
The discoveries brought the overall death toll of Operation Cast Lead to more than 1,300, including more than 400 children, medics said. Another 5,300 were wounded. Israel reported a death toll of 13.
Yea, that sounds like a roaring success. LMAO
