The U.S. military has assessed that while Israel’s offensive in Gaza has significantly weakened Hamas, it is unlikely that the group can be entirely eradicated. According to senior American officials, the ongoing bombings have exacerbated the risks to civilian lives.
The Israeli military's actions have inflicted considerable damage on Hamas, surpassing initial U.S. predictions. The operation has led to a substantial reduction in Hamas's capabilities, the destruction of key supply routes from Egypt, and the death or capture of approximately 14,000 combatants, as reported last month.
However, U.S. and Israeli officials, both current and former, agree that achieving one of Israel’s primary objectives—the recovery of around 115 hostages, both alive and deceased—will require negotiation rather than further military action.
By commenting you are accepting our Comment Policy.