Like in biblical Egypt, after the seven good years (or seventeen, in their case), the bad years arrive.
To survive, they must change. Like a polar bear entering hibernation, knowing that what matters now is simply staying alive. Hamas, one of the most adaptive organizations in the world, is completing its transition from a governing authority to a guerrilla organization and then into a dormant underground movement.
The transition began in April 2024, when mourning was declared over the destruction of its military wing—its bases, missiles, and leadership. After mourning came acceptance. The goal is singular: Hamas must survive.
Hostages? We’ll return them all and not cause too much trouble. Israel and the U.S. object to certain figures we want to appoint to a committee? Fine—we’ll bring others. Israel tries to provoke us into responding? No problem, we’ll sit quietly. There are 150 operatives in Rafah who could reignite everything? Fine, we’ll give them up. A multinational force? We’ll oppose it at first; if that fails, no big deal—Plan B is that the force won’t enter Gaza but will instead guard the Yellow Line. Do whatever it takes to survive.