Since the Gaza ceasefire deal took effect Sunday morning, there's been clear evidence that Hamas is still intact and operating in various parts of the Gaza Strip even after some 470 days of war. Among Prime Minister Netanyahu's goals was the complete eradication of Hamas in the wake of the Oct.7 terror attack and taking of hostages. But Hamas commanders have been emerging from the tunnels and parading openly on streets as the ceasefire holds.
Over the past year-plus of fighting both the political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh, and its Gaza commander, Yahya Sinwar, have been killed - so certainly Hamas has taken serious blows, but it still has many thousands of fighters ready to carry on.
Associated Press: A bus carrying released Palestinian prisoners arrives to the West Bank city of Beitunia on Monday.
"Hamas appears to be emerging from tunnels and rubble in Gaza to show that it never lost control of most of the area despite fifteen months of war," The Jerusalem Post acknowledges in a fresh report. "While Hamas suffered many blows from the IDF, it was able to recruit new members, and it even kept trucks and vans ready to return to the streets and show its presence.