For instance, a member of the Iranian Expediency Council said on Wednesday, “The Palestinian resistance movement emerged victorious in the Gaza war and stands ready to confront the occupying Israeli regime in due time,

As a ceasefire brought calm to Gaza’s ruined cities, Hamas was quick to emerge from hiding. The militant group has not only survived 15 months of war with Israel — among the deadliest and most destructive in recent memory — but it remains firmly in control of the coastal territory that now resembles an apocalyptic wasteland.

A truce in the brutal war that began with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks trades 3 Israeli hostages for 100 Palestinian prisoners. No American is on the list.