In an interview with Reuters, Khaled Meshaal, a prominent figure from Hamas living abroad, expressed that despite significant setbacks in over a year of conflict with Israel, the Palestinian faction aims to regenerate its forces and continue weapon production.
Reflecting on the strife that began a year after an assault by Hamas, Meshaal contextualized the battle with Israel as a chapter in a much longer saga dating back 76 years to the “Nakba” or “catastrophe,” a term Palestinians use for the 1948 events that led to their widespread displacement with the birth of Israel.
“Our past is woven from recurring themes,” remarked Meshaal, now 68, a respected elder within Hamas just below the chief, Yahya Sinwar. He continued, “Though we endure the loss of lives and resources, Palestinian resilience propels us forward, like a phoenix, by divine will.”
Having survived a near-fatal Israeli operation in 1997 that involved a poison attack, Meshaal also underscored that Hamas retains the ability to surprise Israeli forces. “Despite setbacks, our commitment to recruiting and rearming remains steadfast,” he asserted.
On the anniversary of the pivotal Hamas operation in southern Israel, four projectiles were launched from Gaza, all of which were intercepted. Meshaal abstained from revealing specifics but claimed, “Though armaments were diminished, our initiative in recruitment and production persists.”
His longstanding involvement since 1996 endows him with substantial influence within Hamas, positioning him as their spokesperson in diplomatic circles. Middle East analysts believe these statements indicate Hamas’s resolve to persevere, irrespective of current losses.
Joost R. Hiltermann, head honcho for the Middle East at the International Crisis Group, remarked, “Hamas still packs a punch and can rebound in Gaza.” He pointed out Israel’s lack of a post-conflict strategy for Gaza could allow Hamas to regroup, albeit with perhaps reduced capabilities or altered form.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered no comments on Meshaal’s declarations.
‘TICKING TIME BOMB’
Triggered by a notorious attack by Hamas resulting in around 1,200 deaths and 250 taken hostage last October 7th, Israel launched a full-on offensive. According to Palestinian health personnel, the onslaught has devastated Gaza and resulted in approximately 42,000 Palestinian casualties.
From Israel’s perspective, Hamas’s structured military presence was dismantled, relegating their operations to guerilla warfare tactics. As Israeli accounts suggest, nearly 17,000 of the Palestinian deceased represent Hamas combatants, with Israeli forces also losing about 350 soldiers in skirmishes within Gaza.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
