Israeli Concerns Over Hamas’ Military Displays… Was It Really Dismantled?

An Israeli military general acknowledged on Saturday that the military parades staged by Hamas in Gaza during the handover of Israeli captives confirm that the resistance movement has not been crushed nor has its military structure been dismantled.

In an article published by Israel Hayom and translated by Arabi21, Brigadier General (Res.) Zvika Haimovich, former commander of Israel’s air defense forces, stated that “the images coming from war-torn Gaza do not depict Hamas as a collapsed, crushed, or dismantled organization.”

He continued, saying: “The victory images we hoped to see do not exist in Gaza,” emphasizing that after 15 months of war and relentless firepower, the phase of hostage releases has begun.

For months, senior Israeli military officials and government leaders had reassured the Israeli public that Hamas had been dismantled as a military force, lost most of its capabilities, and that its grip on Gaza was weakening.

However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, according to Haimovich. “Hamas remains the sole governing power in Gaza, seizing every phase of hostage releases to stage military parades, reinforce its rule, and demonstrate its ability to organize, while maintaining key symbols such as uniforms, military vehicles, and professional documentation of its activities.”

He raised a critical question: “How is Hamas, after all the bombings and military pressure, able to mobilize forces and equipment in such an organized manner, both in terms of scale and readiness?” He emphasized that the Israeli military leadership owes an explanation, one that has yet to be provided.

Haimovich further asserted: “The victory image we sought in this war against Hamas remains elusive. The resistance remains steadfast, and as time passes and hostage exchanges continue, Hamas’ grip and control over Gaza only grow stronger.”

Even when the second phase of hostage releases is complete, “there will be no victory image for Israel,” he admitted, criticizing the delays in negotiating a prisoner exchange, which, he argued, led to the deaths of Israeli captives in Gaza.

He concluded with a warning: “The optimism and joy surrounding the return of Israeli captives should not overshadow the horrors of October 7. Those who assured us that Hamas had been defeated and dismantled must now confront the undeniable reality—Gaza tells a different story. They must ask themselves: Where did we go wrong? Where are we headed? And what will Gaza look like after the final phase of prisoner exchanges and Hamas’ ongoing military displays?”