The sources said that while Hamas has successfully recruited new members, many are young and untrained and are being used for simple security purposes.

In a rare move hours after the cease-fire took effect, one senior Hamas official said the group wants to engage the new Trump administration.

The White House on Saturday credited President Donald Trump for securing the release of four Israeli female soldiers who were held hostage by the militant group Hamas. In a statement over the weekend,

Israel’s longest war has so far failed to destroy its main enemy, Hamas, which, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself – and a failure for Israel.

The group is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel.

A cease-fire announced Wednesday will end the 15-month war between Hamas and Israel and includes the eventual release of all hostages held by Hams and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

In our news wrap Friday, Hamas announced the names of four Israeli hostages it intends to release as part of the ceasefire deal, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israeli forces might not withdraw from Lebanon by the deadline set in an agreement with Hezbollah and President Trump ended the government-funded protection detail for Dr.

The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.

The hostages and 200 prisoners were released in the second swap of the Gaza cease-fire deal, which went into effect this month.

While the cease-fire is welcome news, there is a very real possibility that we have yet to see the end of the Israel-Hamas war.

Hamas gunmen are guarding aid convoys in Gaza, and its police patrol city streets, sending a clear message: Hamas remains in charge.