Blinken: HAMAS has replenished its losses by recruiting new fighters.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that HAMAS has recruited as many fighters as it lost from Israeli strikes - underscoring Washington's doubts about the long-term prospects of destroying the group after the attack on October 7, 2023, Bloomberg reports.

'Every Time Israel finishes its military operations and withdraws, HAMAS fighters regroup and reappear,' Blinken noted, according to ZN.UA.

He called HAMAS's ability to continue recruiting fighters 'a recipe for a prolonged insurgency and eternal war.'

The ability of the fighters to replenish their ranks is one of the reasons why the U.S. continues to pressure the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire that would ultimately lead to an end to the war in Gaza. According to Blinken, the administration of American President Joe Biden has long insisted that HAMAS, designated as a terrorist group in the U.S. and EU, cannot be defeated solely through military campaigns.

Blinken also spoke about the Biden administration's work on a post-war plan for the enclave - a strategy that may or may not be adopted by the new U.S. administration led by Donald Trump (who will take office on January 20).

Once the war in Gaza ends, Blinken said, 'the temporary security mission will consist of forces from partner countries and vetted Palestinian personnel.'