Bennett Warns: 30,000 Hamas Fighters, ‘Growing by the Day and Rearming’
JERUSALEM — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has delivered a stark warning about the resurgence of Hamas, stating that the militant group still maintains a force of approximately 30,000 fighters and continues to rearm despite months of Israeli military operations in Gaza.
In an interview promoting his new book, Bennett cautioned against complacency, arguing that the days of underestimating Israel’s enemies are over.
“There are 30,000 Hamas warriors, growing by the day and rearming. The days of writing off our enemies as weak — those days are over.”
— Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister of Israel
📊 The Numbers: What Is Known
Before the war, U.S. intelligence estimated that Hamas had between 25,000 and 40,000 fighters. Some reports suggested that Hamas had trained as many as 30,000 operatives before the October 7, 2023, attack, and that it had recruited an additional 10,000 since the war began .
Bennett’s figure of “30,000” falls within that range. His claim that the group is “growing by the day” suggests that recruitment has not stopped despite Israeli efforts to kill its leadership and degrade its infrastructure .
🛠️ Rearming: Tunnels, Rockets, and Foreign Support
Bennett’s assertion that Hamas is “rearming” points to multiple intelligence assessments that the group is rebuilding its rocket and tunnel network, using materials smuggled through the Philadelphi Corridor (the Gaza-Egypt border). Despite Israel’s military campaign and its efforts to destroy the tunnel network, Hamas continues to produce short-range rockets and mortar shells using locally sourced materials and components smuggled in pieces through the border .
Iran remains the primary external backer. Tehran continues to supply Hamas with funding, training, and technical know-how, despite ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel .
⏳ ‘Never Again’ vs. ‘Never Stop’
Bennett’s warning is directed at those who believe the war has ended, and at a domestic audience. His “the days of writing off our enemies as weak” is a reminder that underestimating Hamas contributed to the intelligence failures of October 7, 2023.
The former prime minister is also positioning himself as a necessary hawk — someone who will not repeat the mistake of thinking Hamas can be “contained” or “deterred.” He is implicitly arguing that the current government’s strategy is not working and that only a decisive leader (himself) can finish the job.
Bennett’s statement is also a campaign platform. He is running for prime minister in the October 27, 2026, elections as part of the “Together” (Yachad) alliance with Yair Lapid. He is differentiating himself from the Netanyahu government’s stated goal of “destroying Hamas.”
If Bennett wins, he will face the same dilemma as Netanyahu: how to “destroy” an idea that is fueled by poverty, occupation, and political grievance, not just by military force — and how to do so without reoccupying the entire Gaza Strip permanently .
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Bennett’s Estimate | 30,000 Hamas fighters |
| Current Trend | “Growing by the day and rearming” |
| Sources of Rearmament | Tunnels, local rocket production, smuggling via Philadelphi Corridor, Iranian support |
| Political Message | Those who think the threat is over are making the same mistake as before October 7 |
| Election Context | Bennett is campaigning for PM in October 2026 elections |
| Critics | Some argue Bennett exaggerates figures to bolster his hawkish credentials |
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