Media: Hamas intensifies recruitment efforts, outpacing militant eliminations

There are currently around 20,000 to 23,000 fighters from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip proceeding.

The data was presented by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media. 

Approximately 9,000 militants operate within the northern and southern brigades of Hamas, around 4,000 are part of Islamic Jihad, and an additional 7,000 to 10,000 militants operate in an unorganized manner. 

Numerous fighters are in humanitarian zones. Hamas is actively recruiting new militants, offering payment and food from humanitarian aid in exchange for their enlistment. Moreover, the recruitment rate is outpacing the rate of eliminations.

Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that if Hamas does not release 100 hostages it has been holding for 454 days and halt its rocket attacks on the Jewish state, Israel will deal it blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time.

"The IDF will intensify its activities against the terrorist nests in Gaza until the release of the hostages and the elimination of Hamas,” Katz warned during a visit to the southern Israeli city of Netivot.

Hamas terrorists welcomed 2025 by firing two rockets towards the Netivot area. No damages or injuries were reported in the attack.

By Naila Huseynova