JERUSALEM, Feb 12 — An Israeli government spokesperson said today that Hamas had been reduced to half its fighting force in the Gaza war, with more than 12,000 gunmen who have been killed and large numbers wounded or captured.

"We’re talking about three-quarters of Hamas’ battalions that have been shattered ... with over 12,000 terrorists who have been killed,” Eylon Levy said in a briefing.

"When you take into account the number of terrorists who have been wounded or apprehended, that is more than half of Hamas’ fighting force knocked out of action.” — Reuters