U.S. intelligence agencies estimate that Israeli security forces have killed only about 20 to 30% of members of the Palestinian group "Hamas" in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. believes, according to American reports, that "Hamas" still has enough ammunition to continue fighting Israeli forces for several months, according to the "Times of Israel." Last week, the Israeli army stated that more than 9,000 Hamas militants and members of other groups have been killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, in addition to around 1,000 individuals inside Israel on October 7, 2023. In 2021, a senior Israeli military commander stated that he believed the Palestinian group "Hamas" had about 30,000 fighters. The Israeli army suggests that fighting in the Gaza Strip is likely to continue throughout 2024, as Israel aims to strip "Hamas" of its military and governmental capabilities and has vowed to continue fighting until all hostages held by the Palestinian group are released.
Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when Hamas, which controls the territory, announced the start of "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," launching thousands of rockets toward Israel and infiltrating Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,400 Israelis, as well as the capture of around 250 others. Israel responded by formally declaring war on the Gaza Strip, beginning with devastating airstrikes followed by ground military operations within the territory. The fighting included a seven-day truce, facilitated by Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediation, during which prisoners, including women and children, were exchanged and supplies were delivered to the Gaza Strip. So far, the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has resulted in around 25,000 deaths and approximately 62,000 injuries, the majority of whom are children and women, while over 7,000 remain missing under the ruins from the ongoing bombardment across the territory.
