Blinken: Hamas Rebuilding Forces Despite Israeli Strikes, Undermining Long-Term Victory
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed skepticism about Israel’s ability to dismantle Hamas through military action alone, stating the militant group is replenishing its ranks nearly as quickly as they are lost in Israeli strikes, Bloomberg reports.
Blinken’s comments, made during a speech at the Atlantic Council on Tuesday, highlight the US’s growing concern about the long-term effectiveness of Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
“Each time Israel completes its military operations and pulls back, Hamas militants regroup and re-emerge because there’s nothing else to fill the void,” Blinken said, adding that Hamas’s continued ability to recruit fighters is “a recipe for an enduring insurgency and perpetual war.”
This assessment underscores the Biden administration’s belief that a military solution alone will not defeat Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union. It is also a key reason the US has been pushing for a ceasefire that would ultimately bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Blinken revealed that hopes for such a ceasefire are currently high, saying a deal is “right on the brink, it’s closer than it’s ever been before.”
“But right now, as we sit here, we await final word from Hamas on its acceptance,” he added.
He indicated the confirmation from Hamas could come “in the hours ahead, it could come in the days ahead.”
The US is not only focused on achieving an immediate ceasefire but also on planning for the aftermath of the conflict. Blinken detailed the Biden administration’s post-war vision for Gaza which includes “an interim security mission… made up of members of partner nation security forces and vetted Palestinian personnel.” The long-term viability of this plan, however, remains uncertain given the potential for a change in administration following the upcoming US election.
Blinken’s remarks come amid growing international efforts to secure a truce in Gaza, with both the US and Israel expressing cautious optimism.
