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Despite Israel unleashing a fierce bombardment of Gaza that left most of the territory in ruins, Hamas appears to have survived, dealing a blow to Netanyahu’s war objectives.
Israel’s deadly campaign flattened most of Gaza and killed more than 46,000 Palestinians. (AFP)
After more than a year hiding in tunnels and dodging air strikes, uniformed Hamas fighters returned to the ruined streets of Gaza hours into a ceasefire, defying Israel’s vow to crush them.
With the world watching on Sunday as Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, dozens of balaclava-wearing fighters in the group’s signature green headbands were seen at the packed Gaza City square marshalling the chaotic events.
The day after, Hamas’s deputy interior minister for the territory was out and about in Gaza City, declaring that Gazans were “living in a moment of victory”.
While Hamas was back on the streets, Israeli forces were withdrawing from the…
