NEW DELHI: In a calculated move to hold off Israeli forces and negotiate a ceasefire on its terms, Palestinian militant group Hamas has reportedly prepared for an extended conflict according to sources close to the group’s leadership.
Unnamed sources disclosed that Hamas has stockpiled weapons, missiles, as well as essential supplies such as food and medical resources according to Reuters. These efforts are part of the organisation’s strategy to withstand Israel’s military advances for an extended period.
FLASH: IDF Unearths Tunnel Shaft and Neutralizes Hamas Members in Gaza.
In the past 24 hours, Israeli infantry and armored forces conducted operations in northern Gaza, an area known for multiple attempts to attack IDF forces through tunnel shafts and military compounds.
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The group’s confidence stems from its belief in its fighters’ ability to survive for months within an intricate network of tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, they intend to employ urban guerrilla tactics to counter Israeli forces’ advances.
Hamas’s strategic move revolves around increasing international pressure on Israel to end the siege as civilian casualties rise, ultimately compelling a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement. Under such an agreement, Hamas seeks tangible concessions, primarily the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages, as disclosed by the sources.
These intentions have been explicitly communicated to the US and Israel during indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar. Four Hamas officials, a regional official, and an individual familiar with the White House’s perspective corroborated this claim.
Marwan Al-Muasher, formerly Jordan’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, now affiliated with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated, “The mission to destroy Hamas is not easily achieved.” He underscored the complexity of the situation and the absence of a military solution to the conflict.”
Since the October 7 attack, which saw Hamas militants cross into the Gaza Strip, the conflict has escalated significantly, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 9,000, leading to global protests over the dire conditions of over 2 million Gazans trapped in the enclave without sufficient access to water, food, or power. Israeli airstrikes on a densely populated refugee camp on Tuesday claimed the lives of at least 50 Palestinians and a Hamas commander.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eradicate Hamas and has rejected calls for a ceasefire, accusing the militants of using civilians as human shields.
Danny Danon, a former Israeli ambassador to the UN and ex-member of the Knesset foreign affairs and defence committee, affirmed that Israel anticipates a “long and painful war.” He expressed confidence in Israel’s eventual victory but emphasised the complexity of operating in densely populated urban areas.
The US meanwhile has advocated for humanitarian pauses in hostilities but has not endorsed a general ceasefire, emphasising the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid to those affected by the ongoing conflict.
