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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/17/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-israel-future.html
Hamas Claims It Is Winning the War
(New York Times) Adam Rasgon - Hamas senior official Khaled Meshal, who served as Hamas's political chief for more than two decades, told the New York Times in an interview in Qatar that Hamas is winning the war in Gaza. "Hamas has the upper hand," he said, and has brought the Israeli military into "a state of attrition." Hamas's reasoning is that winning simply means surviving and, at least for now, the group has managed to do that, even if it is severely weakened. Meshal made clear that Hamas officials are not in a rush to conclude a ceasefire with Israel at any price, and will not give up on their main demands for an end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal. Yet Hamas's definition of success may no longer be valid if Israel succeeds in taking out much of Hamas's remaining firepower, according to Palestinian analysts. Meshal said the initial U.S. stance was talking about "the day after Hamas." Now, he said, the U.S. is saying, "We're waiting for Hamas's response. They're practically recognizing Hamas." Meshal said he was confident that the group would play a dominant role in Gaza following the war. "Assuming Hamas won't be in Gaza or influencing the situation is a mistaken assumption."