Hamas regains its civil capabilities in Northern and Central Gaza
The Israeli army confirms that the lack of decisions regarding the post-war situation in Gaza contributes to Hamas regaining civil control over parts of the territory
The Israeli army has informed the political level that the Hamas movement has begun to regain its civil capabilities in northern and central Gaza, two Israeli security officials said Friday, as Israel continues the third phase of its operation in the southern enclave.
Israeli state broadcaster (official) quoted the officials, who were not named, as saying that “Hamas has begun to regain its capabilities in areas where the Israeli army has reduced its presence,” noting that “the failure to make decisions regarding the post-war situation in Gaza contributes to Hamas regaining civil control over parts of the Gaza Strip.”
According to information provided by the Israeli army to the political level, according to the broadcaster, “municipalities that previously operated under Hamas rule have recently begun to provide services to Gaza residents who remained in the central and northern regions of the enclave.” It added, “In addition to the emergency committees established by Hamas for times of emergency, such as the ongoing war.”
Israel has repeatedly stated that its goal of the war on Gaza is to “eliminate” Hamas and recover prisoners, without achieving either goal despite the devastating war waged on the enclave since October 7 last year. According to Hebrew media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still refuses to discuss the so-called “day after” the war on Gaza, while ministers from the extreme religious right call for the displacement of Palestinians and the establishment of settlements, considering it a step in favor of Israeli national security.
Many reports indicate that Washington is beginning to be convinced of the possibility of keeping the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip contrary to Netanyahu‘s desire to eliminate it, but calls, on the other hand, for the return of the Palestinian Authority to the enclave with the possibility of forming a unity government there, which the Hebrew state currently refuses.
Israel rejects the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to end the conflict, despite the affirmation by the Biden administration and its European allies that this is the best way to ensure the security of the Israeli state. Hamas is still capable of striking the Israeli army, which reported Friday that 11 soldiers were injured in ground fighting in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.
According to the army’s data published on its official website, the number of wounded soldiers and officers since the start of the ground war on October 27 last year has risen to 1,268, up from 1,258 yesterday, with 258 seriously injured, 427 moderately injured, and 584 lightly injured.
It added that the number of soldiers and officers wounded since the start of the war on October 7 last year has risen to 2,757, with 418 seriously injured, 723 moderately injured, and 1,616 lightly injured. According to the Israeli army, 387 soldiers and officers are still receiving treatment in hospitals, including 37 in serious condition, 249 in moderate condition, and 101 in light condition.
It also announced an increase in the number of soldiers and officers killed since the start of the war on October 7 to 557, including 220 since the start of the ground war in the Gaza Strip on the 27th of the same month.
Since October 7, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in “26,083 martyrs and 64,487 wounded, most of them children and women,” according to Palestinian authorities, and has caused “massive destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe,” according to the United Nations.
