The drive to end the Hamas leadership, which governs parts of the Palestinian territories, has been described as only a fraction of the way toward its stated objective. A senior Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to a major newspaper, acknowledged the gradual pace of the effort and suggested that progress has occurred but remains limited in scope.
In remarks reported by Israel Hayom, the official stated that the distance already covered represents about one tenth of what would be required to achieve the goal of overthrowing Hamas. The confession reflected a cautious tone about the complexity of the task and the time needed for political, security, and diplomatic components to align in a way that would sustain any potential change in governance in the region.
Recent communications from the Israeli National Security Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicate that two structured working groups have been established to study potential approaches for managing the territory after any future conflict. These groups have conducted separate, detailed examinations of options for the administration of Palestinian areas once hostilities recede and day-to-day governance resumes.
Among the proposals discussed by senior ministers were ideas to place international supervision over governance arrangements, to create a collaborative management framework with Egypt, and to transfer key responsibilities in the Gaza Strip to Palestinian political figures who have been identified within internal discussions as possible partners in stabilization efforts, including Mohammed Dahlan. The range of options points to a broader strategy aimed at reducing immediate security risk while exploring mechanisms to support governance continuity and regional coordination.
Earlier, military analyst Vasily Dandykin, a captain in the reserve with the rank of captain first class, announced that Israel has declared a third phase of operations against Hamas. He described it as a multifaceted and heavy campaign, emphasizing that the scale and intensity would test both the Israeli defense apparatus and the Palestinian urban landscape in ways that could have lasting repercussions for the civilian population and the trajectory of the conflict. The assessment underscored the high stakes involved as forces prepare to confront deeply entrenched networks and challenging terrain.
Meanwhile, dispatches attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces reported ongoing violent clashes with Hamas militants deep within the Gaza Strip. The exchanges highlighted the persistence of battlefield engagement in densely populated areas and the risk to civilians caught between advancing ground operations and defensive responses. Analysts noted the difficulty of securing long-term stability in a setting where political aspirations, security concerns, and humanitarian needs are tightly interwoven and often at odds with one another, raising questions about the prospects for a durable peace in the near term.