Hamas Battalions Shattered in Gaza, Now a Guerrilla Force

In a recent media briefing, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer reported that Hamas's military capabilities have been significantly diminished, with the organization now functioning as a guerrilla force. This assessment follows a statement from Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, who revealed that a memorandum from a deceased senior Hamas commander indicated the group had been reduced to 25% of its former strength. The commander also noted a depletion of rockets and a decline in support from the Palestinian civilian population, whose morale has suffered due to ongoing conflict. Despite the severe losses, Hamas continues to hold 101 Israeli hostages, with estimates suggesting that up to 68 may still be alive. The group's leader, Yahya Sinwar, remains elusive, evading capture by Israeli forces. In recent months, there have been minimal rocket attacks from Gaza, and some residents of Israeli communities previously targeted by Hamas have begun returning to their homes, indicating a shift in the security situation. Prior to the Israeli military's incursion into Rafah in May, which faced opposition from the Biden administration, 18 of Hamas's 24 battalions had already been destroyed. The remaining battalions, primarily located in Rafah, have now also been severely impacted, effectively crippling Hamas's ability to operate as a cohesive military unit. This shift has prompted a change in Israeli military strategy towards counterinsurgency operations. While the threat from Hamas persists, particularly due to the hostage situation and the potential for rearmament, the Israeli government believes it has made significant progress in weakening the organization. The ongoing conflict in Gaza is expected to continue as long as these challenges remain unresolved.