Hamas Political Bureau Deputy Chairman Saleh Al-Arouri said in an August 25, 2023 show on Mayadeen TV (Lebanon) that a "total war" with Israel is inevitable, that the Palestinian people want such a war, and that that Hamas is preparing for it by meeting with all the "parties" that would participate in it. 

He said that in this war, Israel will not have the advantages it had in past wars with Arab armies, since it has these advantages in classical warfare scenarios, but not in unconventional warfare scenarios. He also said that in a "total conflict", Israel's airspace, seaports, electricity, water supply, and communications will be shut down. 

In addition, he said that Hamas is capable of imposing a curfew in Israel and bringing its economy to a standstill.

Saleh Al-Arouri: "A total war has become inevitable. We all consider it necessary. We want it. At the resistance axis, the Palestinian people, and our nation, we want this total war. It is not [just] something we say in the media. We talk about it behind closed doors. We are meeting with all the parties that [will take part] in this total war, and we are discussing together the different scenarios and possibilities. 

We are convinced that it is possible for us... Not that it is possible. We will certainly defeat them.