Israeli Defense Minister Says Hamas Destroyed as Organized Fighting Force

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Israel’s 11-month offensive has destroyed Hamas as an organized military force and the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group now functions as an insurgency, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on September 10. “Hamas as a military formation no longer exists. Hamas is engaged in guerrilla warfare and we are still fighting Hamas terrorists and pursuing Hamas leadership,” Gallant said.

The defense minister separately called out Iran for fomenting the war against Israel using Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, along with other terrorist proxies elsewhere in the region. This, he said during remarks to foreign correspondents, is meant to secure Iran “the time and space to acquire nuclear capabilities — and they are close.” Gallant added that Israel is “capable of defending ourselves and we can also retaliate if necessary. We have the ability to hit any strategic goal in Iran.” Referring to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel in April, Gallant said that “each one of the 110 missiles they fired at Israel in April could have carried a nuclear device if they had it.” 

Expert Analysis

“The Israel-Iran war is at a turning point. Israel has destroyed one arm of the Islamic Republic’s terror army. A war against an even more dangerous arm looms in the north against Hezbollah. Minister of Defense Gallant is putting the regime in Iran on notice that Israel is preparing to counter Tehran’s most dangerous threat — its rapidly expanding nuclear weapons program.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“After 11 months of conflict, Hamas has not only suffered significant degradation as an organized military force but has also faced a substantial loss of its arsenal. Nevertheless, it is essential to approach Gallant’s assessment with caution. Yahya Sinwar, along with other key Hamas figures, remains alive and actively engaged in directing the war effort against the Jewish state. As long as parts of Hamas’s leadership remain functional in Gaza, there is little doubt that the Islamist group will have the means to rebuild its operational capabilities.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Israeli War Goals Making Progress

Gallant’s remarks suggested Israel was meeting two of its war goals — dismantling Hamas and neutralizing the national security threat emanating from the Gaza Strip. The third goal — the return of all hostages seized during the Hamas atrocities of October 7 — remains largely unmet. Around 100 hostages, some dead, remain captive in Gaza.

Related Analysis

“Israeli Strike Targets Top Hamas Commanders in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Documents Detail Hamas Plan to Use Hostages to Remain Military Threat,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Executes Six Israeli Hostages in Rafah, IDF Returns Remains to Families,” FDD Flash Brief