Israeli forces are engaged in intense battles with Palestinian militants across the Gaza Strip, including in areas previously cleared by the military. The city of Rafah in southern Gaza is being portrayed as Hamas' last stronghold, prompting Israeli forces to conduct a limited operation that has now expanded, leading to the displacement of around 300,000 people.
Despite ongoing military operations, the rest of Gaza remains vulnerable to Hamas exploitation due to a lack of postwar governance plans. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected proposed postwar plans for the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza, leading to a security vacuum that has allowed Hamas to regroup in devastated areas.
