The Hamas movement continues to project a strong military and political presence in the Gaza Strip, despite ongoing Israeli strikes. RIA News cited Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’s Politburo, who affirmed that the organization retains substantial influence on the ground and on the Palestinian stage. He stated that the attacks carried out by Israeli forces would not disrupt Hamas’s capacity to operate and that the group would maintain a prominent role going forward. — Attribution: RIA News
On 7 October, Hamas launched a large-scale offensive that involved thousands of missiles fired toward Israel and the initiation of what it described as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Dozens of militants reportedly crossed into Israeli territory, seizing multiple military assets and taking more than a hundred hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war and mobilized national defenses. — Attribution: RIA News
The Israeli Defense Forces launched an operation named Iron Swords, with the stated objective of undermining Hamas capabilities. The air campaign targeted hundreds of Hamas sites across the Gaza Strip, while senior Israeli officials considered broader measures to cut off essential supplies including water, food, electricity, and fuel to the territory. In mid-October, the United Nations indicated that up to 1.1 million Palestinians might need to relocate to southern Gaza within 24 hours in anticipation of a possible ground assault. — Attribution: United Nations reports cited through RIA News
Netanyahu had previously pledged to eliminate Hamas, underscoring the severity of the political and military confrontation that unfolded in the region. The evolving conflict has drawn wide international attention and prompted discussions about humanitarian corridors, civilian protections, and the feasibility of a sustained military campaign in Gaza. — Attribution: Multiple sources referenced by RIA News
The situation remained dynamic as both sides reported varying levels of activity and strategic objectives. Analysts highlighted the challenge of combining rapid battlefield moves with the management of humanitarian concerns and political repercussions on a broader international stage. The assessments pointed to a protracted conflict that would influence security calculations, regional alliances, and overseas diplomatic efforts for months to come. — Attribution: Aggregated reporting notes