Hamas is reconstructing a new Gaza terror infrastructure and exploiting the ceasefire with Israel to strengthen its military, reestablish a contentious leadership framework, and enlist a fresh generation of adolescent combatants, according to a prominent national security analyst.
Professor [name], a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, informed Digital that the halt in hostilities has provided Hamas with breathing space to reorganize.
“Everything that is happening will continue happening as long as Hamas continues to effectively control the western part of the Gaza Strip,” Michael stated.
“Generally speaking, Hamas now has full freedom of movement,” he cautioned.
Since Israeli forces withdrew from portions of Gaza in October under a newly established ceasefire arrangement, Hamas has moved to occupy the resulting power vacuum.
At that time, police forces reappeared on the streets while Hamas fighters targeted and
Various reports point to significant sections of Gaza, including regions formerly patrolled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
A December report from the determined that Hamas is “actively reconstructing its terror regime” across nearly half of its controlled territory.
Hamas is also preparing to following the deaths of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
According to The Jerusalem Post, senior Hamas leaders Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashaal are the leading candidates, with Hayya viewed as the frontrunner due to his popularity in Gaza and his involvement in the West Bank.
Michael indicated that the leadership contest is improbable to change Hamas’s already perilous trajectory.
“Both prospective leaders present issues,” he remarked. “Each individual, in his distinct manner, is regarded as more militant and radical in his Gaza-focused orientation and his endorsement of armed resistance.”
Even Mashaal, frequently characterized as having a more political orientation, “still supports the continuation of armed resistance,” Michael added.
“Regarding Hamas, it doesn’t truly matter who becomes the next .”
Michael identified one of the most concerning developments as Hamas’s increasing success in enlisting adolescents during the ceasefire period.
“It has become very easy for Hamas to now because they effectively dominate the western portion of the Gaza Strip,” he noted, adding that Hamas has emerged as “the most dependable employer in the Gaza Strip,” providing modest wages to boys as young as sixteen or seventeen.
“Joining Hamas appears to be a very natural choice for them, as some have also lost family members, creating a motive for vengeance.”
“They might also prefer to inhabit bully-type neighborhoods, like in the ” he said.
Michael suggested that because Hamas possesses “full freedom of movement, they have also been .”
“They also to the various districts in Gaza and are rebuilding their governmental and military reserves,” Michael added.