Israeli Document: Hamas Will Remain Even After Gaza War

The Israeli military intelligence circulated a document to Israeli leaders this week warning that even if Israel defeats Hamas militarily in Gaza, the movement will remain present and active. The document clarified that even in the event of a victory over Hamas in Gaza, the movement will survive and remain "as a guerrilla group and a terrorist organization" unless there is a plan to replace it as the governing authority in the Gaza Strip. Presented to Israeli politicians and military officials, including the Shin Bet, the document, prepared by the research division of the Israeli military intelligence, states that "real support still exists" for Hamas among the residents of Gaza.