Hamas to Remain in Gaza Strip Despite US Plan, Analysts Confirm

Israeli analysts Eyal Ofer and Nadav Eyal have stated that Hamas will continue to exist and play a significant role in the Gaza Strip despite US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war. Ofer, an expert on Hamas, explained that the movement establishes its continuity on three levels: political, military, and international. On the political level, Hamas seeks to establish a Palestinian national framework that authorizes its national decisions regarding the future of the Gaza Strip. In reality, Hamas aims to control the Palestinian Authority from within through elections, while the Israeli army takes the initiative in Gaza. On the military level, Hamas accepts Trump's description of the Gaza Strip as being free of terrorism and plans to control the West Bank as a platform to strike at Israel's soft underbelly. Hamas will remain in Gaza, even if its name is changed, and its members will remain, with some potentially forced to leave the Strip.

Eyal, a Yedioth Ahronoth analyst, emphasized that without civilian control over the residents of Gaza, there will be no defeat for Hamas. The proposed deal, he said, forces Hamas to give up its most important asset: the hostages. However, Hamas will remain, and with American and Israeli support, it will be difficult to implement disarmament under current circumstances. The Hamas army can be destroyed, but the movement can only be eliminated under one condition: complete Israeli control (occupation) over Gaza under a military occupation that has lasted for years.

Key Takeaways:

• Hamas will remain in the Gaza Strip despite US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war.
• Hamas establishes its continuity on three levels: political, military, and international.
• On the political level, Hamas seeks to establish a Palestinian national framework and control the Palestinian Authority through elections.
• Hamas accepts Trump's description of the Gaza Strip as being free of terrorism and plans to control the West Bank as a platform to strike at Israel's soft underbelly.
• The movement will remain in Gaza, even if its name is changed, and its members will remain, with some potentially forced to leave the Strip.
• Without civilian control over the residents of Gaza, there will be no defeat for Hamas.
• The proposed deal forces Hamas to give up its most important asset: the hostages.
• Hamas will remain, and with American and Israeli support, it will be difficult to implement disarmament under current circumstances.
• Israel estimates that there are 48 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive, while approximately 11,100 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons.
• Palestinian human rights reports indicate that several Palestinian prisoners have died due to torture, starvation, and medical neglect.

Statistics:

• 67,160 Palestinians have been martyred since October 7, 2023.
• 169,679 Palestinians have been wounded since October 7, 2023, most of them children and women.
• 460 Palestinians have died due to famine since October 7, 2023, including 154 children.
• 48 Israeli prisoners are being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive.
• Approximately 11,100 Palestinians are languishing in Israeli prisons, suffering from torture, starvation, and medical neglect.

Sources:

• "Hamas to remain in Gaza despite US plan, analysts confirm" by Maan News Agency (06 Oct 2025)
• "Hamas to remain in Gaza despite US plan, analysts confirm" by Maariv (06 Oct 2025)
• "Hamas Will Not Disappear" by Yedioth Ahronoth