Israel’s relentless military operations in Gaza have significantly weakened Hamas. The majority of Hamas battalions have been degraded and are now scattered. Thousands of its members have been killed, and the elimination of at least one senior military leader has dealt a blow to the organization.
Despite these setbacks, Israel has not fully achieved its primary objectives of the war, which include freeing hostages and completely dismantling Hamas. The conflict and the strategies employed by the Israel Defense Forces have come at a high cost. Palestinian civilian casualties have risen sharply, hunger is rampant in Gaza, and fatalities related to relief efforts have sparked international condemnation.
As the conflict enters its sixth month, there is growing global tension surrounding the war. Israel has lost support from some of its traditional allies due to the prolonged and intense nature of the conflict.
Israeli military casualties have also started to mount, with approximately 260 soldiers killed and over 1,500 injured since the ground assault began following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on October 7.
Israeli officials report that around 133 hostages are still being held in Gaza. However, negotiations to secure their release in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners have hit a roadblock. Hamas has rejected the latest proposal, claiming they do not possess 40 hostages who meet the criteria outlined in the initial offer. This raises uncertainties about the hostages’ status, including how many are still alive and whether some may be held by other factions.