Hamas sees Gaza war as victory, believes Israel's destruction is still possible, official warns

Why does Hamas describe its survival and continued fighting as a “victory,” even though Israel reportedly controls much of Gaza?

Hamas defines victory differently from territorial control. Its leadership reportedly believes that surviving three years of war, continuing to resist, and avoiding surrender show that the group has not been defeated. This matters because Hamas’s internal view may shape its decisions more than Israel’s control of territory.

The article gives a striking example. Hamas says it has resisted an army described as the strongest in the Middle East, something no other Arab army has achieved. Its leaders also view Israel’s control of roughly 70% of Gaza as temporary. They believe their endurance supports the vision associated with founder Ahmed Yassin.

That belief has practical consequences. Hamas is preparing for a possible Israeli ground maneuver into Gaza City instead of disarming or transferring control. It is recruiting operatives, distributing weapons, digging tunnels, making explosives, producing short-range projectiles, and preparing what the official called surprises.

What are Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and what roles do they play in the Gaza war?

Hamas is a Palestinian terrorist organization with a military wing that controls or contests power in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, are Israel’s armed forces. In the conflict described here, Hamas fights Israeli forces and maintains military infrastructure, while the IDF conducts operations intended to weaken Hamas and dismantle that infrastructure.

The article describes Hamas recruiting operatives, distributing weapons, digging defensive tunnels, making explosive devices, and producing short-range projectiles. It describes the IDF Southern Command, the Military Intelligence Directorate, and the Israel Air Force supporting operations against Hamas. Shin Bet is also involved in targeting operatives.

Their roles are therefore direct and opposing. Hamas is preparing to resist a possible ground advance into Gaza City. Israel is increasing targeted killings and preparing a ground maneuver to destroy Hamas battalions and terrorist infrastructure that remain operational.

How much of the Gaza Strip does Israel reportedly control, and how large is the remaining area where Hamas operates?

The article reports that Israel controls approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip. That is the only territorial figure provided. It presents this control as substantial, but not complete, because Hamas still retains military capabilities and is preparing for a possible Israeli advance into Gaza City.

Using the article’s percentage, the remainder is approximately 30% of Gaza. This is a simple difference from 100%, not a separate figure stated by the source. The article does not provide the remaining area in square kilometers, nor does it precisely map which locations are outside Israel’s reported control.

The remaining area matters because Hamas considers Israel’s control temporary. Hamas is recruiting, distributing weapons, digging defensive tunnels, manufacturing explosives, producing short-range projectiles, and preparing surprises there or in areas where it can still operate. Israel’s defense establishment expects further action.

What preparations is Hamas making for a possible Israeli ground offensive into Gaza City?

Hamas is preparing for a possible Israeli ground offensive into Gaza City. The senior security official said the organization is working around the clock because it expects a ground maneuver may occur. These preparations show that Hamas is planning to resist an advance rather than surrender or disarm.

The reported preparations include recruiting operatives and distributing weapons. Hamas is also digging defensive tunnels, manufacturing explosive devices, producing short-range projectiles, and preparing unspecified surprises. The article adds that tensions exist between Hamas’s local leadership and Khalil al-Hayya in Qatar, but says preparations continue.

Israel’s defense establishment assesses that a ground maneuver may ultimately be unavoidable. If it occurs, the stated objective would be to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and destroy Hamas battalions that retain a high level of operational readiness. The article says a decision is expected after Israel’s elections.

What could a ground maneuver into Gaza City mean for civilians, and why might it involve the mass movement of people?

A ground maneuver into Gaza City could mean civilians are moved on a mass scale. The article says Israel’s defense establishment is preparing for a scenario involving mass civilian movement and an advance into the heart of the city. It does not specify where civilians would go, how the movement would occur, or how many people would be affected.

The reason given is military. Hamas refuses to disarm or hand control of Gaza to an alternative governing authority. Israel therefore says it may need to enter Gaza City to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and destroy Hamas battalions that remain operational. Civilian movement would be part of preparing the battlespace for that maneuver.

The official assessed that the maneuver would ultimately be unavoidable, although a decision is expected after Israel’s elections. The article does not describe the humanitarian consequences in detail, so those impacts cannot be quantified from the available text.

Why is Israel carrying out targeted killings of Hamas operatives, and how are these operations intended to affect Hamas’s military rebuilding?

Israel is carrying out targeted killings to pressure Hamas and disrupt its military rebuilding. The operations focus on terrorists who participated in the October 7 attacks, as well as operatives preparing attacks or establishing terrorist infrastructure. Several Israeli bodies are involved, including the IDF Southern Command, Military Intelligence Directorate, Israel Air Force, and Shin Bet.

The key mechanism is disruption. Removing or targeting personnel can interfere with Hamas’s ability to organize attacks, build infrastructure, recruit operatives, and restore its military wing. The article specifically says the operations are intended to increase pressure on Hamas and disrupt efforts to rebuild its military capabilities.

These strikes are part of a wider Israeli strategy, not a standalone action. Israel is also preparing for a possible ground maneuver into Gaza City because Hamas refuses to disarm or transfer control. The stated ground objective is destroying infrastructure and Hamas battalions that remain operationally ready.

What is asymmetric warfare, and how can a weaker armed group continue resisting a much stronger conventional army?

Asymmetric warfare is a conflict between opponents with very unequal conventional strength. The weaker side avoids matching the stronger army weapon for weapon. Instead, it uses concealment, mobility, surprise, difficult terrain, underground positions, and attacks designed to impose costs or prolong the fight. This explanation draws on established military knowledge; the article itself does not define the term.

The article shows several mechanisms associated with that pattern. Hamas uses or prepares defensive tunnels, explosive devices, short-range projectiles, and surprise tactics. Its leaders also emphasize that fighters in ordinary clothing continued resisting the IDF for three years. These methods can help a weaker group remain dangerous despite losing territory.

The article says Hamas interprets this endurance as victory, while Israel controls approximately 70% of Gaza. Hamas is still preparing for a ground maneuver, and Israel is targeting operatives and infrastructure. The result is continued resistance even alongside major territorial and military pressure.

Key Facts:

📌 Hamas sees three years of resistance without surrender as evidence it has not been defeated.

📌 Israel reportedly controls approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip.

📌 Hamas considers Israel’s territorial control temporary.

📌 Hamas is described as a terrorist organization with a military wing.

📌 The IDF is Israel’s army and is preparing possible operations in Gaza City.

📌 Hamas recruits, arms operatives, digs tunnels, and produces projectiles.

📌 Israel reportedly controls approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip.