Hamas's Assessment of the Ongoing Conflict with Israel
In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Dr. Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, reflected on the year following the intense warfare with Israel, highlighting what he termed as strategic and political victories for Hamas. The conflict, which began with the unprecedented 'Battle of the Flood of Al-Aqsa,' has resulted in catastrophic losses, particularly in Gaza, where over 42,600 people, predominantly women and children, have been reported killed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. In contrast, Israeli forces reported 350 soldiers killed, alongside approximately 100 Israeli captives still held in Gaza.
As violence escalates, Hamas continues its operations against Israeli targets, with Iranian-aligned groups intensifying their attacks across the region, including significant missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Naim emphasized that the instability in the Middle East will persist until the Palestinian people achieve their rights to freedom, dignity, and self-determination, which he believes are being undermined by Israel's actions.
Israel's Response and the Broader Implications of the Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined four primary objectives for the ongoing war: neutralizing Hamas, ensuring Gaza poses no future threat, recovering all detainees, and restoring security for Israeli citizens. Despite these aims, Naim contended that Israel has not succeeded in any of these goals, citing that the resistance remains strong and that the humanitarian toll has been devastating.
The conflict has also drawn attention to the International Criminal Court's investigation into Israel's actions, which Naim argues has challenged the narrative of Israel as a democratic state. He suggested that the ongoing violence has jeopardized Israel's normalization efforts with Arab nations initiated under the Abraham Accords, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Naim criticized the United States for its military support of Israel and its perceived bias, arguing that true stability in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the Palestinian issue. He warned that growing resentment towards the U.S. could have long-term repercussions for its influence in the Middle East.
