Israeli media and officials have acknowledged that the objectives of the war on Gaza have failed, conceding that Hamas remains intact as both a governing power and an organization and that its threat continues despite the ceasefire.

Avi Issacharoff, a Palestinian affairs analyst for the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, told Israeli Channel 12 that "the primary goal set by the Israeli government two years ago, toppling Hamas' rule, has not been accomplished," adding that "Hamas has persisted as the governing authority in Gaza."

Issacharoff added that even during the ceasefire, "Hamas fighters are still present in the streets, heavily armed, with their faces covered by masks to avoid identification and wearing protective armor, all while demonstrating effective governance."

He went on to state that the enduring presence of Hamas as the ruling power is the undeniable reality on the ground today.

Hamas survived as a coherent organization

In a similar vein, Israeli journalist and writer Haim Levinson observed that Hamas has survived as a coherent organization, a fact he described as an established reality, noting that the group has maintained a complete and disciplined military structure with dedicated fighters and that it has not been broken despite two grueling years of war.

Meanwhile, Reserve Major General Yitzhak Brik asserted that US President Donald Trump had, in the final moments, saved "Israel" from itself, an act he described as nothing short of a miracle in an interview for i24News.

He added, "To anyone talking about continuing the war in Gaza today, I want to remind you of what Eyal Zamir said, and I said it before he did, that it is a death trap," explicitly stating that "the Israeli army was not capable of defeating Hamas."

'Israel' could have lost its ability to confront threats

Brik pointed out that "the army cannot use brute force to free the captives, warning that such an operation would cost hundreds of lives," affirming that "we have already lost the support of the world and are now at risk of losing Israel's ability to confront the growing threats around us, calling this moment an unparalleled opportunity."

Speaking about Hamas, Brik stated that "the war is effectively over, that Hamas will not be disarmed, and that it is no longer the primary threat when compared to the dangers emerging around us," explaining that "Hezbollah is relentlessly re-arming, and even a severe military strike from Israel would not stop this process, as the group is transforming into a decisive and truly existential enemy."

Echoing Brik's statements, an i24News journalist confirmed that the war has practically ended without Gaza being disarmed, that Hamas has remained an operational organization with its leadership intact, and that its network of tunnels and overall control of the sector have persisted.

He added that "Hamas has returned to controlling entire areas of the strip due to the absence of an alternative force," pointing out that the group has not made any commitment to disarm, halt rearmament, cease weapons production, or stop digging tunnels.