Behind the Yellow Line - Hamas Already Preparing for the Next Stage

Three years after the October 7 attack, Hamas is working to preserve forces and weapons ahead of a possible Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. While the IDF completes above-ground demilitarization and continues underground clearance, the organization is hiding rockets and weapons east of the yellow line and maintaining terrorist brigades as reserves. In Israel, assessments indicate that the path to a decisive victory remains long.

Three years after the October 7 attack, Hamas is working to preserve forces and weapons ahead of a possible Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. According to sources familiar with the details, the organization is hiding rocket parts and weapons east of the yellow line for future use, and maintaining the terrorist brigades of Rafah and northern Gaza as reserves. The IDF has completed the clearance of the above-ground space in its vast majority, including the demolition of buildings with terrorist infrastructure, and continues underground clearance through tunnel detection, controlled explosions, and concrete pouring. Israel currently controls 63% of the Strip. Hamas faces significant challenges: a rocket stockpile reduced to a few hundred compared to thousands before the war, a shortage of weapons, and a basic training level of only one week for new terrorists. However, the organization continues to entrench itself in schools, mosques, and hospitals, and maintains terrorist reserves. In Israel, it is recognized that targeted killings alone do not bring about a decisive victory, and that a broad offensive on the organization's strongholds deep in the Strip is required. The assessment is that the path to a decisive victory remains long.