The Ongoing Struggle Between Israel and Hamas
The recent turmoil in the Middle East has seen the demise of key figures within Hamas, most notably the assassination of its top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, believed to have occurred due to a bomb planted in Tehran. This incident was followed by Israel’s revelation that it had eliminated Hamas’s most elusive and prominent military leader just weeks earlier. As Israel continues its aggressive military campaign, the situation in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has escalated into one of the deadliest confrontations in the history of the region.
At first glance, the latest developments in the 30-year conflict between Israel and Hamas appear to deal a heavy blow to the Islamist organization, casting doubt on its future viability. However, a closer examination of Hamas’s historical resilience, the evolution of Palestinian militant factions over the decades, and the broader principles of insurgency suggests that Hamas may not only endure but could potentially emerge with increased political strength.
Analysts and regional experts who maintain contact with Hamas leadership perceive the recent setbacks — including the assassination of Mr. Haniyeh, widely attributed to Israeli operations — as yielding a short-term advantage for Israeli forces, while undermining their long-term strategic objectives. According to Tahani Mustafa, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, which specializes in policy analysis aimed at conflict resolution, “Instead of fostering the disconnection that Israeli forces intended, one that would instill fear or complete defeat among the populace, this will likely produce the opposite effect. Israel has inadvertently dealt Hamas a winning hand.”
In a vivid display of solidarity, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Istanbul on Wednesday to protest the assassination of Mr. Haniyeh, reflecting the widespread outrage and support for the Palestinian cause.
The military operations carried out by Israel in response to Hamas’s attacks on October 7 have resulted in the displacement of approximately 90 percent of Gaza’s two million residents. The extensive bombardment has obliterated large sections of urban areas within the enclave, leading to a staggering death toll of around 39,000 individuals, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
