Hamas fighting force reduced by half - US officials
Group relying on ambushes, improvised bombs, they say
Such tactics could sustain a lengthy insurgency
'There is no quick fix,' says Israeli military
WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - Hamas has seen about half its forces wiped out in eight months of war and is relying on hit-and-run insurgent tactics to frustrate Israel's attempts to take control of Gaza, U.S. and Israeli officials told Reuters.
The enclave's ruling group has been reduced to between 9,000 and 12,000 fighters, according to three senior U.S. officials familiar with battlefield developments, down from American estimates
, opens new tab of 20,000-25,000 before the conflict. By contrast, Israel says it has lost almost 300 troops in the Gaza campaign.
Hamas fighters are now largely avoiding sustained skirmishes with Israeli forces closing in on the southernmost city of Rafah, instead relying on ambushes and improvised bombs to hit targets often behind enemy lines, one of the officials said.
Right. And Israel has the right to actually defend itself. Where the issue happens is that indiscriminate bombing in densely populated areas does not constitute "self defense." Nor does sniping journalists, dropping precision munitions on aid convoys, dropping thousand pound bombs on refugee camps, using white phosphorus anywhere near a city, collective punishment such as cutting access to aid and water for millions of people (actual war crime by the way), or literally anything that's occurred in the west bank.
So when people say they support Palestine, that's what they mean. Not hamas. Don't be disingenuous.
Please. Most protestors don't know anything in the USA/Canada and are brainwashed students.
Look, Israel is in a war. Civilians get killed unfortunately.
Some soldiers are acting out of line and doing what they want based on hatred, and they should be held accountable.
Is Bibi also targeting civilians? Yes and no, it's hard to say directly.
Do you want to discuss the over 500 incitements of genocide? When it comes to intent, Israel's intent has been documented more than most
Since the commencement of our investigative efforts on October 7th, 2023, Law for Palestine has meticulously amassed a compelling body of evidence exposing the proliferation of incitement to violence and genocidal intent perpetrated by Israeli officials and public figures, against Palestinians. Our documentation encompasses over 500 incitements of violence and genocidal incitement, appearing in the forms of social media posts, television interviews, and official statements from Israeli politicians, army personnel, journalists, and other influential personalities.
Correct me if I am wrong but it sure as hell seems like this is the aspiration of Israel to slowly evict all Arabs and Palestinians out of Israel or make their life hell, in order for them to revolt and give them an excuse for ethnic cleansing.
And let's not forget that Israel prior to its founding had less than 10% of the population in modern day Israel.
So stop pretending that Israel is only fighting for self-defence and see what's happening in the West bank and how they actively are trying to make the lives of all non Israeli citizens unbearable. Occupying the West Bank, uprooting olive trees, building checkpoints. Sorry but I am pretty sure if you were personally a subject to those restrictions you wouldn't be happy either.
Yes that's why israel has segregated roads for Palestinians and every major human rights organisation calls israel an Apartheid. Because you can just make shit up.
You have no idea what you're talking about. There are millions of Muslim people living fine within Israel. They are not driving on separate roads or anything like that. Why do you lie so much?