Israel Intensifies Pressure on Hamas Infrastructure in Gaza

Arab sources indicate that Israel is significantly increasing pressure on Hamas's military and organizational infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, three years after the October 7th attacks. This intensified campaign aims to limit the group's leadership's ability to operate and rebuild its structures. According to the Emirati website Aram News, Israeli strikes are targeting not only Hamas's military wing but also its administrative apparatus, which the organization uses to maintain control within Gaza. This is reportedly shrinking the operational space for Hamas leadership on the ground.

Israel is reportedly conducting large-scale demolitions of tunnels to prevent their reuse by Hamas and is striking exchange point networks suspected of being used for financing the organization. Additionally, Israel has reportedly escalated targeted assassinations of Hamas commanders. In less than a month, five senior members of the Al-Qassam Brigades' military council, including commanders of brigades in northern Gaza, Khan Younis, and Rafah, have been eliminated.

The pressure extends beyond the military wing, with Israel also targeting political leaders to disrupt Hamas's organizational recovery. The article cites Ali al-Aamoudi, identified as Hamas's head in Gaza and a successor to Yahya Sinwar, as the latest such target. An Arab political commentator noted that these simultaneous strikes on Hamas leadership, positions, and military infrastructure have impacted the organization's operational capacity and its ability to rebuild its command structure.

Despite these efforts, the source emphasizes that Hamas's weakening does not equate to its complete defeat. Israel maintains direct military control over significant areas of Gaza and holds security and intelligence advantages elsewhere, enabling it to track and strike Hamas members. However, three years of operations have not led to Hamas's eradication, suggesting that military strikes alone are not a definitive solution.

The commentator also linked the ongoing conflict to political developments, particularly the discussion of a phased plan. While Israeli strikes may weaken Hamas militarily and hinder leadership recovery, the ultimate outcome, according to the expert, will also depend on the results of the political process and the nature of future agreements.