The Israeli goal of destroying Hamas could be slipping out of reach.
Although the IDF bombardment devastated parts of Gaza and killed thousands of civilians, it appears to have had little effect on Hamas’s rule, AP reports.
This is evidenced by the terror group’s ability to conduct complex negotiations, enforce ceasefires between other armed groups, and orchestrate the release of hostages dragged into Gaza from southern Israel on October 7.
Hamas leader in Gaza Yehya Sinwar and other commanders are believed to have moved to the south of the strip, along with hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians who have gathered in crowded shelters after fleeing the north.
An Israeli ground invasion in the south could ultimately track down Hamas’s leaders and destroy the rest of its militant infrastructure, including miles of tunnels, but at the cost of Palestinian lives and destruction.
These are costs that the United States, Israel’s main ally, appears unwilling to bear.
The Biden administration has told Israel that if it resumes the offensive, it will have to operate with much greater precision, especially in the south.
This approach is unlikely to bring Hamas to its knees anytime soon, and international pressure for a lasting ceasefire is increasing.