US intelligence assessments have revealed that Hamas has recruited between 20,000 and 25,000 additional fighters since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War on October 7.
Despite heavy losses in the ongoing conflict, the group remains a formidable threat to Israel.
The US estimates that a similar number of Hamas fighters were killed during the 15-month war, with these figures being disclosed for the first time.
However, the intelligence highlighted that many newly recruited fighters are young, untrained, and primarily tasked with basic security duties.
Contrary to this, experts argue that “the Hamas fighters seen during the prisoner exchange were clearly seasoned professionals, as their tactics and behaviour reflected substantial combat experience.”
A former statement from Antony Blinken, then-US Secretary of State, noted, “Each time Israel completes its military operations and pulls back, Hamas resistance regroups and re-emerges because there’s nothing else to fill the void.”
Gaining accurate intelligence on Hamas remains challenging due to limited access to Gaza. Despite claims by Israel that Hamas has been neutralised during its operations, US figures suggest the group has replenished its ranks with thousands of recruits.
Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon remarked, "We know that Hamas recruits youngsters. But even if they recruit youngsters, they don't have the weapons or the training facilities. Yes, you can incite those youngsters against Israel, but they cannot become terrorists because you cannot equip them with weapons or rockets."
Following the ceasefire, Israeli forces withdrew from certain densely populated areas in Gaza, only to find Hamas reclaiming control of previously occupied territories.
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