Since Israel and Hamas have some form  of preliminary agreement that will presumably result in release of all hostages, does this mark the end of Hamas as a major force?

For a nontraditional analysis, see Israel, Qatar Strike, which identifies the Gaza tunnels as a constant of the problem, beyond which solutions cannot progress as long as they remain. Those steeped in the liberal art of diplomacy may find this unconvincing. In ( CNN) Fareed Zakaria says this is the ‘million dollar question’ in Gaza deal, Zakaria says that Hamas has nothing left, and Israel holds all the cards.

If Arab terrorism were ruled by Western rationalism, this might be true.  We may have to remind ourselves with every new analysis that this is not the case. But what do we insert in its place? Guidance comes from a remarkable precedent. Since the First Intifada, which spans 1987 to 1993, no Arab terror group or subversive organization has been extirpated, by either Arab countries, israel, or the United States.

Al Qaeda is regrowing. (The Hill, 10/7/25)) US military kills senior al Qaeda-affiliated attack planner.

In spite of the elimination of their charismatic leader and falsification of his revelatory teachings, ISIS still holds territory in Syria and Yemen. It has a growing presence in Afghanistan.

Though less visible than during the brief tenure of Mohamed Morsi as president of Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood remains the transnational subversive stratum of the Arab World, so feared its known exponents are often murdered.

Remember the Black September Organization, which seemingly vanished? In reality, it was a mere pseudo-pod, a cover identity for Fatah, which still exists. The PLO still exists. Hezbollah exists.

Arab countries which give the appearance of freedom from the some or all of these groups have achieved such with mukhabarat terror first brought to the highest pitch by Syria’s Hafez al-Assad. So efficient were the Syrians under the elder Assad, so confident were they of their measures, that Syria could then be entered by any Arab without a passport.

What was done in Syria can be done in Gaza. But by who, and who will sanction torture to prevent a reemergence? No decent international body, no regional coalition could accept the burden and stain of the required severity of repression.

One can sketch the resurrection of Hamas.  A subversive movement becomes a mafiesque second government, which then expels the legitimate authority:

• First, they own the sidewalk.
• Next, a mosque, then a street, then a business, such as trash removal.
• A neighborhood follows, with their services supplanting official.
• Political organization, with a neighborhood nucleus.
• With insertion into minor political roles, state capture begins.
• Assassinations paralyze the legitimate government.
• The banner, of either Hamas or a surrogate, is raised, with demands for power sharing.
• A regional coalition attempts intervention. The Gaza tunnels thwart this.
• The coalition negotiates a face-saving withdrawal.
• The legitimate government flees.

One could argue that Hamas would lack the popular sympathy enjoyed during the 2007 Battle of Gaza , when they kicked Fatah out.

They don’t need it.