Israel’s gamble on arming a criminal-led militia to fight Hamas in Gaza may backfire, stoking intra-Palestinian conflict and sowing the seeds for a new phase of civil war.

Hamas has admitted to killing Israeli hostages, releasing a video blaming Israel for their deaths and issuing new instructions to its guards, further intensifying the ongoing conflict.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, reignited by the October 7 attacks, has led to significant casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis, with possible outcomes ranging from short-term ceasefires to prolonged military engagements and regional escalations. International mediation and humanitarian aid will be crucial in shaping the conflict’s trajectory and prospects for peace.