Hamas in Northern Gaza at Breaking Point, Israel Says

Latest Developments

Hamas’s northern Gaza battalions are nearing collapse as hundreds of Hamas fighters surrender to Israeli forces said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on December 11. “We have encircled the last strongholds of Hamas in Jabaliya and Shejaiya. The battalions that were considered invincible, that prepared for years to fight us, are on the verge of being dismantled,” Gallant said during a press conference. 

On December 10, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released an update on its casualties since the beginning of the Gaza ground incursion on October 27, including 104 fatalities and 582 wounded. The figures include conscripts and reservists, non-commissioned officers and officers; religious and secular; Jews and Druze; around a quarter were tank crewmen; and most of the remainder were infantry and special forces.

Expert Analysis​

“Despite the tragedy of each of its losses — which have included both the son and a nephew of a war cabinet minister — Israel is showing no sign of flagging in this necessary campaign to rid itself, and the region, of the evil that is Hamas. The number of the fallen in more than seven weeks of fighting is around a third of the number that fell when Hamas overran entire barracks on October 7, slaughtering soldiers in their sleep.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“The many stories and images of military-age men surrendering in Gaza are encouraging. The fastest way to end this war is for a complete surrender of Hamas and for the terrorists to return the hostages.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network  

“Despite the casualties suffered by Israeli soldiers, the situation could have been worse if not for consistent training and the utilization of cutting-edge military advances like the Trophy system integrated into tanks and armored personnel carriers. Undeniably, these measures have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the lives of soldiers engaged in combat operations in the Gaza Strip.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal 

Injured IDF Soldiers Continue Recovery

A total of 433 members have died since the war began with the Hamas cross-border rampage of October 7, most of them — 292 — within the first hours of that attack. The overall death toll also includes service members killed by Hezbollah on the Lebanon border and in accidents while in uniform.

The IDF also published figures for service members wounded since the war began: 1,645. Most of these have been discharged from medical care, while 393 remain in hospital, of which 34 are in serious condition.

Hamas Commanders Should Surrender to Spare Lives

Gallant added that the Iran-backed terrorists in northern Gaza and Gaza City are nearing a “breaking point,” and called on commanders to surrender to spare their own lives. In the past month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet — Israel’s internal security agency — have arrested more than 500 terrorist operatives. 

Related Analysis

“10 Things to Know About Hamas,” FDD Insight

“Weapons and Tunnel at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University Uncovered by IDF,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Hidden Hamas Headquarters at Gaza Hospital Reached by Israeli Forces,” FDD Flash Brief