In the heart of Hamas' stronghold in Chan Junis, Israeli military and intelligence leaders huddled together, discussing the tumultuous situation in the Gaza conflict. Their verdict? Hamas was considerably weakened.
More Hamas terrorists in Gaza were laying down their arms, a clear indication of the Islamist organization's waning fighting spirit for Israeli security forces. "We're applying immense pressure," declared Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi at a meeting with the head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, in Hamas' stronghold. "Their surrender with their hands up confirms their broken fighting spirit. It speeds up our victories, as we're eager to move forward swiftly," Halevi added. Defense Minister Joav Gallant also weighed in, predicting that Hamas' strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip would soon crumble.
Israeli forces were engaged in a brutal urban battle against Hamas units in Gaza's second-largest city, with suspicions that Hamas leadership and hostages were hiding in Khan Yunis. Recently, an increasing number of Hamas fighters were surrendering, while national security advisor Zachi Hanegbi reported over 7,000 Hamas terrorists had been killed so far.
As the Hamas situation deteriorated, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for Israel in combating Hamas terrorists, pledging commitment until Hamas' demolition. He vowed to secure the hostages' safe return and deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
Although Israeli Defense Minister Joav Gallant anticipated the fall of Hamas' remaining strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip due to surrendering fighters, the situation was far from over. Obama's unwavering promise to support Israel in eliminating Hamas terrorism persisted, even as he worked diligently to secure the hostages' release and deliver aid to Palestinian civilians.
Losses to Hamas' military capabilities, leadership, and recruitment, along with international isolation, economic constraints, and a pragmatic shift in tactics, had collectively weakened the Islamist organization in the Gaza Strip, despite its continued dominance.
