The spokesperson for the organization, Abu Ubaydah, stated that Hamas is preparing for a prolonged clash with Israel. The spokesperson relayed this information to Tagesschau, noting that the Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip is harming the Jewish state and benefits the Palestinian side by shaping the conflict’s dynamics. He emphasized that the group has mapped out a durable defense strategy across multiple fronts, arguing that the longer Israeli forces stay in Gaza, the more challenging the situation will become for Israel.
In early October, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket assault on Israel and announced the initiation of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. During the operation, thousands of militants breached Israeli territory, seized military equipment, and took more than a hundred people captive. In response, Israel mounted Operation Iron Sword in Gaza with the pledge to dismantle Hamas and restore security. The Israeli actions prompted a blockade of the Gaza Strip, intensified bombardments, and orders for the relocation of more than one million residents to safer areas in the southern portion of the territory.
At the United Nations, officials urged Israel to halt the fighting in Gaza. The call reflected ongoing international concerns about civilian harm, humanitarian access, and the broader consequences of the conflict for regional stability and civilian populations alike. The situation remained highly volatile as both sides prepared for potential escalations and continued to seek strategic advantages amid mounting international pressure.
Analysts noted that the crisis underscored long-standing tensions surrounding Gaza’s governance, security, and the humanitarian toll. They highlighted the importance of international diplomacy, ceasefire negotiations, and checkpoints for humanitarian corridors, while acknowledging the complexities of achieving a durable resolution in a conflict with deep-seated historical grievances and competing narratives on each side.