EIGHT MONTHS IN, MOST OF HAMAS IS INTACT AND IS GAINING NEW RECRUITS

Whatever winning looks like for Israel in the ongoing Gazan War, it does not appear to be anywhere in sight, after US intelligence reported that around 65 to 70% of the guerrilla organisation remained intact after an eight-month onslaught by the Israeli Defence Force that has killed tens of thousands of civilians.

As reported by Politico:

"In a Tuesday interview with CNN, Netanyahu said “we have to get rid of Hamas. Otherwise, there’s no future for Gaza.” But recent U.S. intelligence is fueling a growing concern that such an outcome isn’t possible. Although Hamas’ communications and military abilities have been degraded, only 30 to 35 percent of its fighters — those who were a part of Hamas before the Oct. 7 attack — have been killed and about 65 percent of its tunnels are still intact, U.S. intelligence indicates."

Not only this, but resentment of the high number of civilian casualties among the general population appears to be working like a recruitment sergeant, with large numbers of fresh recruits joining the group:

"Biden officials have also become increasingly concerned that Hamas has been able to recruit during wartime — thousands over the last several months. That has allowed the group to withstand months of Israeli offensives, according to a person familiar with U.S. intelligence."

This news comes as Israel has suffered fresh losses and in the wake of resignations from the coalition government of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. This morning 8 Israeli soldiers died after Hamas fighters ambushed an armoured personnel carrier.