We are a week and a half into Operation Strength and Sword (Oz veCherev) in the Gaza Strip. The initial strike targeted dozens of Hamas sites, and by yesterday, the Israel Air Force had hit more than 430 targets, with strikes continuing overnight. The primary goal of the IDF operation in Gaza is to weaken Hamas terrorists by eliminating their command and operational infrastructure.
Hamas Has Lost Significant Control
Senior Israeli officials report that the operation is progressing according to plan. Footage circulating on social media shows civilians in Gaza once again moving southward. Unlike in the past, Hamas is struggling to prevent their movement.
“In the past, Hamas operatives set up roadblocks, threatened residents, and used force to stop them from moving from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip. Today, the situation is different: Hamas has lost significant power and its ability to control the civilian population. The organization often lacks enough manpower to set up checkpoints or monitor civilian movement. Hamas is in distress, and it’s becoming harder to conceal,” a senior Israeli official told Israeli newspaper Maariv.
Protests Against Hamas
According to the same official, another indication of the effectiveness of Israel military pressure—combined with the reduction in humanitarian aid—is the wave of protests against Hamas that has erupted across Gaza in recent days. Demonstrations have been reported in the north, center, and south of the Gaza Strip.
“Residents are moving south, and the overcrowding in cities where protests have broken out is severe. The competition for resources—food, water, and more—is intensifying by the day. Hamas currently has no solution to this crisis,” the official said, adding that protests are likely to spread to more areas in the near future.
The Palestinian Authority Exploits the Situation Against Hamas
According to media reports, Hamas has so far refrained from a harsh response on the ground, fearing that crackdowns could escalate the protests. Instead, the terror organization has framed the demonstrations as Fatah opposition activity, allegedly encouraged by the Palestinian Authority.
In several areas, Hamas operatives have tried to disperse demonstrators without resorting to significant force—but have failed. Instead, they have been met with massive stone-throwing, forcing Hamas security forces to retreat and allowing the protests to continue. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority is using the situation to promote its message, emphasizing the need to replace Hamas rule and positioning itself as a viable alternative to regain control of Gaza.
Leaving Room for a Return to Negotiations
The Israeli news site Walla reported that security officials believe the next 24 hours will serve as a “test period” to determine whether the protests will fade as they did earlier this year or gain momentum, potentially leading to significant changes in Gaza.
In response, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered increased pressure on Hamas leadership ahead of a possible expanded ground maneuver in several areas of the Gaza Strip. A source familiar with the situation noted, “The security establishment has additional tools to apply pressure. We are leaving room for a return to negotiations over the hostages, despite the lack of progress.”
