By Melanie Swan
Israel may not be able to destroy Hamas despite over six months of intense fighting in Gaza, intelligence officials have admitted.
The main objective of the Gaza invasion faces failure as international support turns against Israel, sources warned.
Israel believes it has dismantled Hamasâ main command and control structure in central and northern Gaza but pockets of âguerrillaâ resistance remain.
Senior officials told The Telegraph four out of an original 24 Hamas battalions remain completely untouched after fleeing to safety in Rafah, which Israel is preparing to invade.
But Israel believes it may be too late to find and destroy them, as the US has âturned its back on Israelâ.
Pressure on Israel
The US this week allowed the passage of a UN resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire after months of backing Israelâs right to defend itself. Frustrations have grown in the White House over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
âIf youâd asked me this a month ago, I would definitely say yes [we can eliminate Hamas] because at that time the Americans were backing Israel,â an Israeli intelligence source said.
They suggested this assessment had now changed.
Hamas is focused on surviving until the summer, they warned, when the US election campaign begins and support for Israel is likely to wane further.
âThe pressure is mounting on Israel to reach some sort of a deal, which means Hamas could survive. Both Hamas and the Iranians are playing on that,â the source said.
Hamas forces scattered
The latest assessment comes as the IDF have been engaging with resurgent Hamas units in parts of Gaza which they previously cleared. Fighting has been raging since March 18 at Al Shifa hospital, which Israel first raided in December
Months of urban warfare has pushed Hamas out of major strongholds, and Israeli intelligence say over 11,000 terrorists have been killed in addition to 15 top commanders…
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