As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect, the Palestinian militant group has sent a strong message to Israel: despite suffering immense losses, it is far from defeated. Celebrations erupted in Gaza City as Hamas militants proudly displayed their strength in the streets, signaling that the conflict has not crushed their resolve. The exchange of hostages, which saw the release of over 200 Israelis held since the October 7 attack, is now being framed by Hamas as a significant victory in a war that Israel had hoped would bring their destruction.
On Sunday, masked gunmen from Hamas’ elite Al-Qassam Brigades, clad in military gear, stood in stark contrast to the destruction that has left Gaza in ruins. This spectacle, staged in Al Saraya Square, was a deliberate reminder of Hamas’ resilience despite the year-long Israeli bombardment that targeted its military and political infrastructure.
The hostage release comes after months of intense negotiations, culminating in a deal that promises a 42-day ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners. This agreement, however, raises serious questions about Israel’s objectives in the war, which have not been fully achieved.
Hamas Claims Victory, Israel Faces Dissent
“Today, the resistance has achieved what the Palestinian people wanted,” Osama Hamdan, a senior member of Hamas’ political bureau, told Al Jazeera in an emotional address. According to Hamdan, the agreement has met key Palestinian demands: the release of prisoners, a ceasefire, and a pathway for rebuilding Gaza.
For Hamas, this ceasefire does not represent a defeat. Instead, the group views it as evidence of Israel’s failure to eradicate them. As Khalil Al Hayya, the main negotiator for Hamas, put it, “Israel has failed in achieving its war objectives. We stand here today to prove that our resistance is unbroken.”
However, in Israel, the ceasefire has sparked division, particularly within the government. Right-wing Israeli ministers have condemned the deal, calling it a “surrender.” Far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir, an ardent opponent of any truce with Hamas, resigned from the government, claiming that the ceasefire is a sign of Israeli weakness. He accused the Israeli leadership of “surrendering” while Hamas militants were seen celebrating on the streets of Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, maintains that the ceasefire is a necessary step towards securing the release of hostages, a goal that Israel has pursued since the October attack. Netanyahu’s office stated that while the prime minister still supports the overarching objectives of the war, the truce presents an opportunity for further negotiations.
Hamas’ Enduring Presence in Gaza
The war, which has seen Israel unleash the most severe military campaign in Gaza’s history, has undoubtedly caused catastrophic loss of life and infrastructure in the enclave. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died, and the survivors live in a devastated environment with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies.
Yet, despite Israel’s offensive, Hamas has remained defiant. The group’s leadership claims that even as its ranks have thinned due to the relentless Israeli airstrikes, it has managed to recruit new fighters, replenishing its forces to continue its struggle.
“Hamas has recruited almost as many new militants as it has lost,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked recently. “This is a recipe for an enduring insurgency,” he added, warning that without a viable political solution, Hamas or similar groups will continue to pose a threat.
The harsh realities of life under Israeli siege have created fertile ground for Hamas to recruit new members. Many young Palestinians, who have witnessed the destruction of their homes and families, see Hamas as the only viable resistance force against Israeli aggression.
Tahani Mustafa, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, emphasized this point, explaining that, “Hamas offers a means of survival for Palestinians who have lost everything. In times of occupation and violence, groups like Hamas gain relevance by providing a sense of purpose and identity.”
The Future of Gaza: A Fragile Ceasefire and a Long Road Ahead
The post-war future of Gaza remains uncertain. Although the ceasefire has temporarily halted the fighting, it has not addressed the deeper political issues that have fueled the conflict for decades. Israel’s ultimate goal in the war was to completely dismantle Hamas, but the group’s survival throughout the conflict has shown the limits of Israel’s military strategy.
Hamas itself is already planning for the rebuilding of Gaza, despite the massive scale of the destruction. “The whole population, and the resistance as part of it, will begin rebuilding what the occupation has destroyed,” Hamdan declared in his speech to Al Jazeera. “Regardless of the outcome of this war, the future will remain Palestinian.”
For Israel, the survival of Hamas is seen as a failure of its military objectives. In the words of Mustafa, “Hamas’ continued existence is, in many ways, a defeat for Israel.” The group’s ability to regroup, recruit, and continue its resistance is a testament to its enduring appeal among many Palestinians, particularly those living under the siege.
The question now is whether this ceasefire will hold and whether it will pave the way for a broader peace agreement. While the deal provides temporary relief, it does not address the underlying causes of the conflict. Without a sustainable political solution, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, leaving Gaza in a state of uncertainty.
