Hamas down...but not out...

Now, they will rebuild...

Hamas’ military wing indeed suffered a harsh blow, yet the group’s chief commander, Ahmed Jabari, is still capable of managing a war and firing rockets to Kiryat Gat, and he still has more than 10,000 fighters who did not break at his disposal.

The war deepened the schism within the Arab world, yet Hamas boosted its legitimacy even in Turkey. The war also deepened the schism between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and now Hamas will not allow Abbas any foothold in Gaza.

The war advanced Hamas’ strategy of objection to reconciliation with Israel, and many years will have to pass before an Arab peace initiative that includes willingness to recognize Israel becomes part of the discourse in the Arab world.

However, the battle for political survival will require Hamas to adopt tactical changes; for example, it will have to hold its fire, while at the same time rebuilding its military power.