00:15Just when many believed Hamas had been pushed to the brink, a new Israeli security assessment is
00:22changing the conversation. Reports now suggest that Hamas may still have nearly 25,000 fighters
00:29alive inside Gaza. And if those fighters return to the battlefield, Israel could suddenly face a
00:36dangerous new military challenge. According to assessments by Israel's own security establishment,
00:43the armed wing of Hamas, the Izzedine al-Qassan Brigades, is believed to still have around 25,000
00:50fighters, including nearly 2,500 members of its elite special units who are reportedly alive and
00:57hiding. This comes at a time when regional tensions are already at their highest. Israel remains
01:04engaged against Iran, continues to monitor Hezbollah on its northern border, and also faces threats from
01:11the Houthis. If Hamas launches a renewed offensive from Gaza, analysts say Israel could find itself
01:17dealing with pressure on four different fronts at the same time. Supporters of the so-called
01:24axis of resistance argue that recent Iranian strikes against American bases have boosted confidence
01:30among Iran-aligned groups across the region. They also claim Iran's missile attacks exposed
01:37vulnerabilities in Israeli air defenses and forced Israel to seek additional American support.
01:43These claims remain part of the wider information battle surrounding the conflict.
01:48Now the biggest question being asked is this. If Hamas still has tens of thousands of fighters
01:55available, can they be brought back into active combat? If that happens, the regional conflict could
02:01enter an entirely new phase, with Gaza once again becoming a major battlefield. The latest assessment has
02:08also renewed political debate inside Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly argued that Hamas has
02:16been severely weakened after months of military operations. But reports suggesting that thousands of Hamas
02:23fighters remain alive are leading critics to question whether the group's military capability has truly been
02:30dismantled. Whether these fighters remain hidden, reorganize, or eventually return to combat could shape the
02:37next chapter of the conflict. And with the Middle East already on edge, every new assessment is being watched
02:44closely because the next move by Hamas could have consequences far beyond Gaza.
03:05Subscribe to OneIndia and never miss an update.
03:10Download the OneIndia app now.
