Israel started tightening the noose in May with an effort to flush out militants and destroy the extensive tunnel system where Hamas has hidden fighters, hostages and weapons throughout the conflict. The strategy was to cut off sections of the underground web from one another, said Israeli military officials.

A cease-fire after two years of war with Israel has allowed Hamas to tighten its grip on power again. “It’s still standing,” one Israeli official said.

Abu Shabab's death would be a boost to Hamas, which branded him a collaborator and ordered its fighters to kill or capture him.

The ceasefire in Gaza is broadly holding, with Israeli forces inside the strip having pulled back to the so-called "yellow line." Israel Defense Forces chief Eyal Zamir said the position constitutes "a new border line" with Gaza.

Hamas is willing to discuss “freezing or storing” its weapons, a senior official said on Sunday, amid concerns that the nascent ceasefire deal between Israel and the militant group could collapse.

We are open to have a comprehensive approach in order to avoid further escalation,” said Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’ decision-making political bureau.

For Jay Idler, reading the first published account of an Israeli taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, was difficult, but necessary. “A lot of the hostages are appropriately closed in after having such a traumatic experience,

The Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, pushed back on claims that his country supports or finances Hamas, telling Tucker Carlson in an interview at the 2025 Doha Forum that Hamas is only there because the Obama administration asked Qatar to take them,

Israel is pushing for the disarmament of Hamas, while Hamas is asking for a path to Palestinian statehood. Bradley Blackburn reports.