Haaretz: It’s too early to talk about the collapse of Hamas

On Monday, Amos Harel wrote in Haaretz newspaper, that it’s too early to talk about the collapse of Hamas in Gaza.

Harel wrote that a large force is now active in Gaza and is focusing on attacking the Jabalia refugee camp, the Zaytoun neighborhood, and a number of neighborhoods near Gaza City.

He added: “During the first three weeks of ground operations, the Israeli army didn’t enter these neighborhoods located north and east of the city”.

He added, “The units operate in a very dense and dangerous urban area, which increases the risk of the units accidentally shooting at each other, due to the intense, spreading fire”.

“In addition, there are incidents related to fatigue after weeks of activity and a growing problem of lack of adherence to combat discipline,” Harel noted.

The Israeli army was reported to have killed large numbers of Palestinian militants and struck new targets, sometimes in areas that had been occupied earlier in the operation.

However, Harel pointed out that progress has been slow.

He explained, “The army’s strategy was that it was better to deploy large forces that move slowly and ensure their security, rather than quickly entering the areas before they are ‘cleared’ of resistance with air and artillery fire”.

He added, “In addition, a long tail of secondary forces and logistical units are now deployed inside Gaza, which poses a major challenge when it comes to maintaining the same high level of combat discipline found on the front”.

He continued, “The Israeli army is now operating on the ground in the last major areas in northern Gaza”.

He added, “However, as has been said over the past few weeks, it’s too early to talk about the collapse of Hamas”.

Regarding Hamas, he said, “Its capabilities in the south are still intact, and its leadership is hiding there as well”.

Harel added, “There are still military objectives to be dealt with in northern Gaza, but Israeli political and military leaders will have to decide whether there is much more to be accomplished or whether the returns from the operation pale in comparison to the effort expended and the risks to the lives of soldiers”.