Hamas is reportedly making a significant comeback, recruiting thousands of new fighters, according to Channel 12 and The Jerusalem Post. Recent reports suggest Hamas has rebuilt its forces to between 20,000 and 23,000 fighters, though earlier estimates placed the number closer to 12,000.
This fluctuation contrasts with prior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reports, which indicated that between 17,000 and 20,000 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fighters had been killed. Additionally, the IDF reported wounding 14,000 to 16,000 Hamas fighters and detaining over 6,000 Gazans, with 4,300 still in custody.
The numbers suggest Hamas may have recruited nearly an entire new force, possibly replacing its previous one. While Channel 12’s estimates highlight the presence of 9,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza’s north and south, plus 4,000 PIJ and 7,000-10,000 disorganized militants, military briefings claim much of northern Gaza has been cleared.
Despite the varying figures, sources indicate the new recruits are less trained and include minors, reflecting a decline in the quality of Hamas fighters. The exact total remains uncertain due to ongoing conflict and displacement within Gaza.
