Hamas only authority capable of governing Gaza: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
20 Jan 2025 20:46
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The Israeli Channel 12 estimates that "Israel" is unlikely to resume fighting in Gaza, pointing out that the Palestinian Resistance has the capability to fight indefinitely.

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Fighters of the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, escort vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Saraya Square in western Gaza City on January 19, 2025. (AFP)

Hamas remains the sole authority capable of governing the Gaza Strip, even after 15 months of war, "Israel’s" Channel 12 suggested.

Touching on the "day after", the channel acknowledged "Israel's" failure to achieve its war objectives, which included preventing Hamas from governing or returning to power in Gaza.

Yet, "we saw yesterday that it [Hamas] still possesses this capability," referencing the scenes of Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades’ emergence among the people while handing over the three Israeli female detainees to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of the ceasefire-prisoner exchange deal with "Israel".

Channel 12 emphasized that no other force in Gaza has a comparable capability, which enables Hamas to reassert itself and restrict the operational capacity of the Israeli military.

In a related context, the channel estimated that "Israel" is unlikely to resume fighting in Gaza, pointing out that the Palestinian Resistance has the capability to fight indefinitely and is able to continue "recruiting" individuals.

Similarly, Amos Harel, the military affairs analyst for "Israel’s" Haaretz newspaper, commented on the scenes of hundreds of al-Qassam Brigade members just a few kilometers from where Israeli occupation forces had been stationed, saying they "demonstrated its military strength and signs of civil governance."

Meanwhile, Channel 12's military correspondent, Lilach Shoval, noted that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza does not ensure the achievement of the two goals "Israel" had set for itself: eliminating Hamas and releasing the captives.

Only 8% of Israelis believe war on Gaza achieved goals

A poll published by Israeli newspaper Maariv revealed that only 8% of Israelis believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has fully achieved the objectives it set for the war on Gaza.

This comes amid reports from Israeli media emphasizing the heavy toll being exacted on the Israeli occupation forces in northern Gaza.

Additionally, The New York Times highlighted growing skepticism within the upper echelons of the Israeli military leadership about achieving the war's two primary objectives: eradicating Hamas and securing the release of over 100 captives still held in Gaza.

Former Israeli National Security Council head Giora Eiland acknowledged the difficulty of securing victory, stating, "As long as weapons and ammunition exist in Gaza, and as long as there are enough young men ready to fight to the death, victory will remain elusive."