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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r12l0mhlyx#autoplay
Hamas Persists in Gaza Dead Zones
(Ynet News) Yoav Zitun - On Oct. 7, 2023, in a single strike, Hamas shattered the notion that maintaining its rule in Gaza, along with cash infusions into the Palestinian enclave, could serve as a sufficient deterrent. After more than a year of fighting, there is consensus that the IDF must maintain operational freedom in Gaza to prevent the rebuilding of terrorist organizations' power. By early 2024, Israel had ceased its ground offensive in 70% of Gaza's territory, and by August, 20% more, including Rafah, was similarly quiet. In the remaining areas, the presence of hostages led to a halt in direct military action. The IDF has not operated across most of Gaza's territory for over six months. Yet in some zones that the IDF has left, Hamas has managed to reactivate some of its tunnels and has rigged many areas with explosives, reestablishing its presence using the cover of the local population. In large cities such as Khan Yunis, signs of Hamas's resurgence are apparent. As time passes, the IDF increasingly acknowledges that a full withdrawal from Gaza's Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors remains unlikely in the near future. As a military force, Hamas has sustained significant losses. Estimates indicate that 80-90% of its mid- to long-range rocket stockpile has been destroyed, and 15,000-20,000 Hamas fighters have been killed or incapacitated out of an original 30,000. Hamas continues to recruit, while thousands of additional fighters come from other factions, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Large portions of Hamas's tunnel network remain as disconnected local structures rather than the integrated "metro network." Many are located in areas where the IDF has refrained from operating, such as central Gaza towns, due to fears that these sites may be holding hostages. Current estimates indicate that 50 captives remain alive. Since Oct. 7, the war has claimed the lives of 771 Israeli soldiers, including 360 who fell in Gaza. 2,368 soldiers have been wounded, 452 seriously.