Hamas has established a new defense force to guard the Gaza Strip coast, according to Ynet. The force, led by Hamas senior commander Jamil al-Dahashan, does not yet own any ships, but aims to fight drug dealers, disrupt Israel Defense Forces marine operations, and prevent Palestinian fishermen from collaborating with the idf.

A Hamas official told Ynet that the new force had deployed heavy machine guns and mortars along the coast to fire at idf vessels if they approach the Strip.

The Hamas official claimed that since Hamas took control of Gaza, the idf has stayed away from Gaza’s shores. “I think they know that Hamas fighters and the new naval force have in their possession some of the security forces’ heavy artillery, seized during the Strip’s takeover,” he said.

Although Hamas calls the force a “naval” one, without ships it can hardly be labeled as such. Hamas fighters pointing their weapons toward the sea instead of land are hardly a menacing threat for the Israeli navy. The official admitted that Hamas abilities don’t match those of the Israeli navy, but stated the force would still try to hamper Israeli operations.

Still, Hamas has a knack for acquiring weapons, and with support from Iran, it could eventually acquire some patrol ships to make its force naval.

Even if that does not occur, however, Hamas’s announcement demonstrates its long-term thinking as it reorganizes and develops its military.

Already, Hamas is creating its own military industry. In addition to smuggling thousands of weapons into the Gaza Strip, Hamas is manufacturing its own explosives, even putting serial production numbers on Kassam rockets, a Southern Command senior intelligence officer told Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi during his visit to Sderot on Monday.

The officer also told Prodi that a Hamas army of 7,000 to 10,000 men controls the Gaza Strip.

Senior officers compare the development of Hamas’s military to that of Hezbollah. It is developing a hierarchy, training system and distinct roles for smuggling weapons, preparing explosive devices and planning out terrorist attacks.

Hamas’s military ambition and reorganization is a concern, not because of Hamas’s immediate capabilities, which are insignificant compared to Israel’s. The reason for concern is the nation that is funding the Hamas buildup and giving it orders. Iran is a much bigger threat with more far-reaching goals for the region. The more advanced Hamas becomes, the more Iran can use its proxy war with Israel to achieve its goals.

For more information on the connection between Hamas and Iran, read “Why the Hamas Victory Won’t Last.”