IDF to Gazans: Are you better off than before Hamas took over?

The IDF dropped flyers over Khan Yunis today (Monday) asking Gazan residents whether they are better off now than before Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, according to Kann News.

The flyers reportedly say: "Hamas took over the Strip in 2007. Residents of the Strip: What was your situation then and what is your situation now? What future do you want?"

The text is accompanied by a picture of part of the Gaza Strip, fully built up and functional, compared to the heaps of rubble, ruin, and devastation visible throughout urban areas in the Gaza Strip due to the intense, year-long war between the IDF and Hamas.

The second phase of the hostage deal, according to the Israeli and American understanding, includes not only a formal end to the war but also Hamas being entirely removed from governing power in the Gaza Strip and ceasing to be a threat to Israel.

Hamas has reportedly agreed to give up governing power in Gaza on the condition that those who leave are given a guaranteed pension - and that Hamas retains the right to continue "armed resistance" against Israel.

Reporter Yishai Cohen noted yesterday that Israel and Hamas are highly unlikely to move forward to the second phase of the hostage deal in the near future, in part due to Hamas' insistence on maintaining military power and representing a direct threat to Israel, something both Israel and the United States consider unacceptable.

Israel is also unlikely to move forward to that phase, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly reiterated that the government will complete all its war aims, including the destruction of Hamas' governing and military capabilities - which cannot be done if Israel declares an end to the war. Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Amichai Chikli have also threatened to leave the government if Netanyahu tries to make such an announcement.