Hamas is reportedly prepared for a prolonged war in the Gaza Strip and believes it can withstand Israel’s advance long enough to secure a ceasefire, according to sources close to the organization’s leadership. The group has allegedly stockpiled weapons, missiles, food, and medical supplies in preparation for the conflict. They are confident that their fighters can survive for months in the intricate network of tunnels beneath Gaza and use urban guerrilla tactics to frustrate Israeli forces. Hamas also hopes that mounting civilian casualties will increase international pressure on Israel to end the siege and force a negotiated settlement that includes the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. The group has made this demand clear in indirect negotiations with the U.S. and Israel. Hamas also seeks an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, an end to settlement expansion, and a halt to what they view as heavy-handed actions by Israeli security forces at the al-Aqsa mosque. U.N. experts have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, warning of the risk of genocide. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 9,000, and protests have erupted around the world in support of the trapped Gazans. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to wipe out Hamas and has rejected calls for a ceasefire. The United States has said that now is not the time for a general ceasefire but that pauses in hostilities are needed to deliver humanitarian aid. Hamas is believed to have approximately 40,000 fighters and has a vast network of tunnels that allow movement throughout the enclave. Israeli officials have expressed their preparedness for Hamas’ guerrilla tactics and their determination to withstand international criticism of their offensive. The extent to which Israel can eliminate or degrade Hamas remains uncertain. Hamas has fought several wars with Israel in recent decades and has gradually improved its military capabilities, particularly its missiles. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanese group allied with Hamas, says that Hamas’ fighting strength remains mostly intact despite weeks of bombardment. Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S., and the EU, called for the destruction of Israel in its 1988 founding charter. In its 2017 charter, the group accepted the idea of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders claimed by Israel, although it did not explicitly recognize Israel’s right to exist. Hamas officials believe that the recent attack and the ongoing conflict will put the issue of Palestinian statehood back on the map and provide an opportunity to shape the region’s future. Hamas gained leverage after the Oslo peace accord hit a wall, and Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank undermined efforts to create a separate Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opted for seeking an alliance with Arab Sunni states, including Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. However, the recent Hamas attack has put the process on hold. Experts argue that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without engaging with the Palestinians.
Hamas’ Strategic Objective: Ensnaring Israel in the Gaza Quagmire
