
Senior Hamas figure Osama Hamdan asserted in an interview with AFP on Sunday that the militant group still possesses significant resources to continue its conflict with Israel despite the casualties it has incurred in the Gaza conflict.
Hamdan remarked, “The resistance has a high ability to continue,” and added, “There were martyrs and there were sacrifices… but in return there was an accumulation of experiences and the recruitment of new generations into the resistance.”
This statement follows a recent declaration by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who told reporters that Hamas “no longer exists” as a military entity in Gaza.
Hamdan, however, disputed this claim, telling AFP, “The number of casualties… is much less than what is expected in a battle of this size, level and breadth.”
Hamdan further criticized the United States for not applying enough pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to achieve a ceasefire.
“The American administration does not exert sufficient or appropriate pressure on the Israeli side,” Hamdan told AFP. “Rather it is trying to justify the Israeli side’s evasion of any commitment.”
While the U.S. has been advocating for a ceasefire and hostage release framework initially proposed by President Joe Biden in May, Hamas has repeatedly rejected all proposals.
Last week, Hamas reiterated its willingness to agree to an “immediate” ceasefire with Israel based on a previous U.S. proposal, provided no new conditions are added by any party.
Regarding the Houthi missile strike on central Israel that occurred on Sunday, Hamdan suggested it demonstrated the limits of Israel’s defensive capabilities.
“It is a message to the entire region that Israel is not an immune entity. Even Israeli capabilities have limits,” he claimed.
Hamdan also dismissed the notion of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar leaving Gaza, stating that Sinwar and other leaders “are ready to be martyred thousands of times in Palestine rather than leaving it because everything he is doing is to free Palestine.” Hamdan added that Hamas aims for “joint Palestinian rule” in Gaza.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Then why do you want a ceasefire? You asked for this, so now enjoy it.