Falcon powers – A former officer in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) stated that the Palestinian resistance against Israel, represented by Hamas and other armed groups, is an idea as much as it is a concrete and tangible group of people.
Douglas London, who spent 34 years in the agency, said in a statement to The New York Times: “Despite the harm that Israel may inflict on Hamas, it still retains the capacity, flexibility, financing, and a long chain of individuals who are likely awaiting participation and joining after every round of fighting, destruction, and loss of life.”
According to The New York Times, citing American officials on Monday, the tunnels would allow Hamas to endure and reshape itself once the war in Gaza ceases.
The officials added that despite the severe losses suffered by Hamas, a large portion of its top leadership in Gaza remains in place, hiding within an extensive network of underground tunnels and operational centers. They emphasized that they are the decision-makers in hostage deal negotiations.
The tunnel system extends for hundreds of miles, reaching depths of up to 15 floors underground, according to Israeli and American officials.
Israel has been unable to completely destroy the tunnels that Hamas spent years constructing, but Israeli officials claim that they have seized control of most key points, i.e., strategic underground complexes used by Hamas to command its forces.
An unnamed official from the Israeli military intelligence, complying with army protocols, stated that around 70% of the complexes have been destroyed.
The US newspaper explains that despite Israeli military operations in Gaza weakening Hamas, resulting in the deaths of thousands of its members and the elimination of at least one top military commander, Tel Aviv has not achieved its primary objectives of the war, namely “freeing the hostages and completely destroying Hamas.”
