The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Israel’s withdrawal of troops from northern Gaza has “neither defeated nor destroyed” Hamas.

“Decreased Israeli pressure would, in fact, allow Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities and infrastructure. Hamas maintains a conventional military structure, meaning that it should be able to quickly replace commanders who have died in the war,” the US-based military think tank said.

“Several recently killed Hamas battalion and brigade commanders had led their units for many years, suggesting that they had the ability and time to develop successors to take their place,” it added.

The think-tank also stated that the reduction of Israeli forces hinted at a third phase, which involved ending major combat operations, releasing reservists, transitioning to “targeted raids”, and establishing a security buffer zone within the Gaza Strip.