Official says endgame in Gaza is ‘no more Hamas,’ Israel may have to take control for a while

By Lazar Berman

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8 July 2025, 8:09 am

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Hamas terrorists stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025. (AP Photo/ Abdel Kareem Hana, File)

Israel’s endgame is in Gaza is “there is no more Hamas,” says a senior Israeli official in Washington.

“Hamas taken apart. It has put down its weapons. It’s people have given up. The leaders have been exiled. Another force has taken over the territory and prevents the use of weapons,” the official says.

“There has to be a system there that manages life,” the official continues.

“Maybe for a certain amount of time, it is us,” says the official. “I’m not sure that if we’re not there for a certain stage, that we’ll be able to pass it on to someone else.”