US intelligence estimates suggest that Israeli forces have killed only 20-30% of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas' fighters three months into the the war in Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
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According to the report, while this has dealt a significant blow, the figure falls short of Israel's reported objective of fully destroying the organization and signals its continued durability.
Video: An alleged Israeli assassination in Lebanon / Arab social media
US officials assess Hamas still retains enough weaponry and munitions to sustain attacks on Israel for months, the Journal reported. There are also indications that Hamas was trying to reconstitute a police unit in Gaza City amidst the hostilities. Furthermore, the report mentions a classified report notes that Hamas has adapted its tactics, using smaller and hidden forces and distributing duties among remaining members to compensate for casualties.
Israel has slowly withdrawn troops from Gaza after pressure from the US to shift to a more concentrated campaign against Hamas. However, officials warn the conflict could persist for a considerable period given the staying power of Hamas, which could frustrate Israeli aims.
The group's survival despite Israel's intense military campaign has raised difficult questions for Israeli leadership and the international community. It also poses a challenge to the prospects for resolving underlying political tensions.
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