Hamas has lost about half its strength in the eight-month war and has adopted a hit-and-run strategy, hoping to thwart Israel's attempts to gain control of the Gaza Strip. With reference to US and Israeli officials, the group now consists of approximately 9-12 thousand fighters, compared to 20-25 thousand before the war. Israel claims almost 300 military casualties during the operation in Gaza.
Hamas militants prefer to avoid prolonged clashes with Israeli forces, using ambushes and improvised explosive devices to attack targets, often behind enemy lines, according to one of the officials. Local residents have observed this change in tactics, noting that the militants used to respond immediately to incursions by Israeli forces, but now they wait and launch ambushes.
According to US officials, this tactic could give Hamas the ability to hold out for several more months as it continues to obtain weapons through tunnels and recycled ammunition, as well as those captured by Israeli forces.
However, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Peter Lerner stressed that their goal against Hamas has not yet been achieved, admitting that it is not possible to destroy every militant or tunnel of the group.
