In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, US intelligence reports indicate that Israel’s efforts to “eradicate” Hamas have not achieved their intended goal. According to estimates cited by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Hamas has suffered a loss of only around 20 to 30 percent of its fighting force. The toll on the group “falls short so far of Israel’s goal of destroying the group and shows its resilience after months of war that have laid swaths of the Gaza Strip to ruin.”
Despite the devastation in Gaza, the intelligence estimates suggest that Hamas still possesses enough munitions to continue launching rockets into Israel and maintain operations against Israeli troops for several months.
In a potential shift in the dynamics, Israel has proposed a two-month pause in fighting in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. The proposal, conveyed through mediators in Qatar and Egypt, aims to secure the release of more than 130 hostages, with the reported involvement of Washington in negotiations. However, the proposed pause does not include an agreement to end the war.
As tensions persist in the region, the proposal adds a new layer to the complex web of negotiations and conflicts. The resilience of Hamas, as revealed by US intelligence, challenges Israel’s initial objectives, leaving the situation in the Middle East hanging in a delicate balance.
Sources:
new.thecradle.co/articles/israels-devastation-of-gaza-failing-to-eradicate-hamas-us-intel
news.yahoo.com/israel-proposes-two-month-pause-221020303.html