Media: Hamas recruits thousands despite heavy losses in war with Israel

Hamas has recruited an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 new members since the start of its war with Israel, according to U.S. intelligence briefings shared with congressional sources.

The intelligence suggests that the Iran-backed group, despite heavy losses, remains a persistent threat to Israel. During the same period, approximately the same number of Hamas fighters were reportedly killed, marking a significant toll on the group's ranks, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The recruitment, however, appears to include many young and untrained individuals, with some serving in basic security roles, sources said. These insights were part of intelligence updates provided in the final weeks of the Biden administration. The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the reports.

Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire on January 19 after 15 months of devastating conflict. The war caused widespread destruction across Gaza, leaving much of the territory in ruins and exacerbating regional tensions. In a statement on January 14, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that Hamas had recruited almost as many fighters as it had lost, warning of the potential for a "perpetual war."

Israeli estimates place the death toll of Hamas militants in Gaza at around 20,000. However, U.S. officials have avoided publicly stating how many fighters they believe Hamas has lost, only indicating the group has been significantly weakened.

The ceasefire has not diminished Hamas's entrenchment in Gaza. The group has swiftly reinstated security measures and begun restoring essential services in the war-ravaged territory. A Hamas armed wing spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, claimed in July that the group had successfully recruited thousands of fighters despite ongoing hostilities.

The Israeli military's efforts to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure have not fully eliminated the group’s influence. Blinken highlighted the cyclical nature of the conflict, noting that after each Israeli military operation, Hamas regroups due to the absence of alternative structures to fill the void in Gaza.

Both Israel and the United States classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation. A Hamas official declined to comment but indicated the group’s leadership was reviewing the matter.

By Vugar Khalilov