Israeli negotiator says Hamas ‘very weak’

Hamas has emerged from the 50-day war with Israel significantly weakened, senior defense official Amos Gilad, who was part of the Israel delegation sent to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire, says after an open-ended truce goes into effect.

Speaking to Army Radio, Gilad says that the Gazan terrorist organization has been dealt a heavy blow.

“They are extremely weak and they know it,” he said. “There is no need to be impressed by the celebratory gunfire and the statements by people who are even more extreme than the extremists. In all, everyone there understands what happened. The rehabilitation efforts are massive. They have brought disaster upon themselves.”

Meanwhile, IDF Spokesman Moti Almoz tells Army Radio that if Hamas were as successful as it boasts, it would not have “begged” for a truce and agreed to it on Israel’s terms.

“If Hamas agreed to or begged for a truce, even after three-four days of … such effective mortar attacks, we have to ask, why agree to beg for a truce? I mean, is the truce really what Hamas was planning?” Almoz asks sarcastically, suggesting that the terrorist organization was driven to agree to the terms of the truce due to its weak position.