Hamas forces decline in quality as IDF battles new recruits
- The IDF is engaged in renewed operations in northern Gaza against Hamas.
- Many combatants faced by the IDF are newly recruited fighters from Hamas.
- Despite significant losses, Hamas has managed to replenish its ranks with inexperienced recruits.
In Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been engaged in renewed operations against Hamas, specifically targeting the terrorist organization's infrastructure. As of January 2025, reports indicate that during these military engagements, many of the combatants faced by the IDF are newly recruited Hamas members. These recruitment efforts have occurred since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023. Israeli military estimates suggest that prior to this escalation, Hamas had approximately 25,000 fighters in the region. However, following intensive military operations directed at Hamas, the IDF estimates that around 17,000 to 20,000 fighters have been killed, mainly from Hamas, with many more injured or incapacitated in the conflict. This significant toll includes over 4,300 individuals currently held by Israel, many of whom are affiliated with Hamas. Despite these losses, there are indications that Hamas has managed to recruit new members, including untrained teenagers, which has contributed to their overall replenished numbers. Estimates now place the total fighting force of Hamas and the smaller Palestinian Islamic Jihad at approximately 20,000 to 23,000 soldiers in the Gaza Strip. Reports emphasize that although the number of combatants may be returning to pre-war levels, there exists a notable decline in the quality of Hamas's forces, largely filled by inexperienced recruits. As the IDF carries out its full-scale operations aimed not only at temporary raids but at dismantling the terrorist organization's infrastructure entirely, the military expects these efforts to create a lasting impact. The objective is to carry out effective operations that will diminish Hamas's ability to perform additional strikes in the future.