U.S. officials say Hamas has recruited nearly as many fighters as Israel lost in the Gaza war.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas has recruited almost as many new fighters as it has lost in its 16-month all-out war with Israel.

Washington’s top diplomat made the assertion in a speech on Tuesday in which he reiterated the Biden administration’s position that Hamas cannot be defeated “through military action alone.”

These comments are made under the wish A ceasefire agreement is about to be reached. However, plans for the post-conflict period remain vague due to complex and competing ambitions.

“Without clear alternatives, a post-conflict plan and a credible political future for the Palestinians, there will be a resurgence of Hamas or something equally abhorrent and dangerous,” Blinken told the Atlantic Council think tank.

“This is exactly what has happened in northern Gaza since October 7. Every time Israel completes its military operations and withdraws, Hamas militants regroup and reappear because there is nothing else to fill the void. This is a protracted insurgency and the source of perpetual war.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that “complete defeat” of Hamas and the destruction of the armed organization are the main goals of Israel’s Gaza war.

However, analysts even israeli military official Politicians have questioned the possibility of achieving this goal.

Last month, Yair Golan, a former member of parliament and current chairman of the Democratic Party of Israel, said the war must end “with a political solution.”

post-conflict depression

talking about ongoing negotiationBlinken said “I believe we will achieve a ceasefire.”

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Ansari said on Tuesday that talks were underway to end the conflict. final stagewhile warning against setting expectations too high before making an official announcement.

The ceasefire agreement, which is believed to be being finalized, consists of three phases, including a cessation of hostilities and an exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners.

The final phase is understood to include discussions around an alternative government to Hamas and plans to rebuild devastated Gaza.

However, these plans are still vague. Palestinians, Arab states and Israel still need to agree on a vision for post-war Gaza.

Blinken said Washington believes the Palestinian Authority should invite international partners “to help establish and manage an interim government in the enclave.”

At the same time, Israel needs security and billions of dollars for reconstruction.