Israel Intensifies Gaza Assault Mobilizing 60,000 Reservists Amid Hostage Crisis

In Gaza, many Palestinians express deep opposition to Hamas, blaming the group for widespread destruction and suffering in the region, with activists noting that Hamas never truly held popular support and that opposition has grown stronger since the October 7, 2023, attacks. Israel is intensifying its military operations to dismantle Hamas' stronghold in Gaza City, having called up reservists and escalating strikes, driven by Hamas' refusal to release hostages and its ongoing threats against Israel. Israeli officials and analysts emphasize the difficult balance of defeating Hamas while minimizing harm to hostages held by the group, whose actions have been widely condemned for using civilians as human shields. Hamas continues to be backed by Iran, which provides financing, weapons, and training, and remains committed to its goal of eliminating Israel, as highlighted by its past atrocities and ongoing rhetoric. The conflict has led to significant humanitarian devastation in Gaza, with much of the infrastructure destroyed, and many Palestinians calling for Hamas' removal despite threats and repression against dissenters. Experts argue that defeating Hamas is necessary for any hope of peace, rejecting the notion that Hamas' elimination would end prospects for coexistence or stability in the region.