Channel 12 reported on Wednesday that, in conjunction with Islamic Jihad, Hamas's forces now total between 20,000 and 23,000 fighters. However, The Jerusalem Post has gathered information suggesting the number is closer to 12,000. This discrepancy highlights significant uncertainty, especially when compared to previous figures from the IDF and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The most recent IDF figures estimate that between 17,000 and 20,000 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives have been killed since the war began. A gap of a few thousand between IDF and Netanyahu's estimates has raised questions about the accuracy of the numbers. In June, the IDF reported that between 14,000 and 16,000 Hamas fighters had been wounded. Moreover, the IDF has detained over 6,000 Gazans, with approximately 4,300 still in custody.
The numbers appear inconsistent, especially given the IDF's initial assessment that Hamas had 25,000 fighters at the start of the war. These figures do not seem to add up unless Hamas has recruited a large new force to replace its fallen fighters. Alternatively, it is possible that earlier estimates of up to 40,000 Hamas fighters were more accurate, suggesting that many of the current fighters are from the original force, though many new recruits have been added as well.
The first reports of Hamas's resurgence emerged in June, following the IDF's withdrawal from northern Gaza in January-February and from Khan Yunis in early April. According to Channel 12's reporting, roughly 9,000 Hamas fighters are spread between northern and southern Gaza, with an additional 4,000 fighters from Islamic Jihad and 7,000 to 10,000 local clan-based fighters scattered throughout the Strip.
These figures appear to contradict the IDF's claims that northern Gaza has largely been cleared of fighters. However, reports suggest that southern Gaza has seen a larger concentration of Hamas forces. While estimates vary, sources backing Channel 12's numbers indicate that Hamas's strength remains significant.
Despite these varied numbers, it is clear that many of Hamas's new recruits are inexperienced and untrained, with some being minors. The quality of these new fighters is reportedly far lower than that of the more seasoned fighters Hamas initially fielded.
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