A Saudi report claims Hamas is folding in Gaza, but former IDF Unit 8200 commander Brig. Gen. (res.) Hanan Geffen says the move is a time-gaining tactic and Hamas still controls the Strip. Geffen told Channel 14 that the group has been desperate for a ceasefire for over two years, that IDF operations have eliminated their advantage, and their base is completely despairing and has lost hope.
A Saudi report has ignited a debate over Hamas's current posture in Gaza, with an assessment that the terror group is 'folding' — interpreted by some as a sign of its weakness. However, Brig. Gen. (res.) Hanan Geffen, former commander of IDF Intelligence Unit 8200, pushed back forcefully in comments to Channel 14. Geffen argued that Hamas's recent maneuvers are not a genuine retreat but a tactical delay to buy time while it retains control over the Gaza Strip. He stated that Hamas has been desperately seeking a ceasefire for over two years, that IDF operations have wiped out its former battlefield advantages, and that its rank and file is 'completely desperate and has lost hope.' The contradictory assessments come as the Israeli security establishment remains divided over how to interpret Hamas's behavior, as The Zioneer has previously reported: the head of IDF Southern Command has urged resuming offensive operations, while the General Staff has hesitated. Geffen's assessment — from a former top intelligence officer — aligns with the view that Hamas is still an organized, political-military actor in Gaza, even if severely battered.
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