"Israel's declared aim with the war is to eliminate Hamas and liberate the Israeli hostages held by militant groups. Both have yet to be achieved. But the Israeli military chief of staff says the structure of Hamas in the city of Rafah is nearly dismantled. Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that the "intense phase" of Israel's military operations against Hamas in Gaza is drawing to a close. But the Israeli prime minister says fighting won't stop until the group no longer controls the Gaza Strip. DW asks Hans-Jakob Schindler, Director of the Counter Extremism Project in Berlin, how he views the progress of Israel’s war in Gaza."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed for story: "It is the second major front for the Israeli military. In recent days, there has been an increase in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon on the northern border of the Jewish state. Fighting has intensified, particularly after the death of a senior commander of the Shiite militia last week."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed for story: "Israel announces that it will silence its weapons in southern Gaza for several hours a day. An expert explains the extent to which this has something to do with the fight against Hezbollah."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed: "We are close undoubtedly, but I'd like to add that a word of caution that we've been close before. It has frequently really been a problem that the leadership in Gaza of Hamas was not willing to accept the conditions of a deal that the Hamas leadership outside Gaza, for example in Qatar, was willing to accept." 

"“Can further escalation be prevented after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel? The attack means a "paradigm change" in the conflict between the two countries, said Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project in New York.”"

"An aerial assault was launched by Iran against Israel overnight: The Israeli army says more than 300 missiles and drones were fired. It is the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel despite decades of hostility. There's been calm over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the wake of the barrage. Almost all the missiles were intercepted by Israel and the US. The UK and Jordan have also shot down drones. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard says the assault was in retaliation for an attack on its embassy in Syria on April 1st which killed 16 people including several Iranian generals. What considerations will Israel have to take into account as it decides how to respond? How difficult will it be for Israel and the US to agree on a clear response to this attack? Interview with Hans-Jakob Schindler.”

“Iran has launched dozens of drones and missiles against Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard says the assault is in retaliation for an attack on its consulate in Syria which killed several generals. It's the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel despite decades of enmity. Dozens of Israeli fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept incoming missiles and the army says its defenses are ready. Interview with Hans-Jakob Schindler.”

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler: "A complete ceasefire is unlikely; a reduction in fighting is more realistic. Hamas is fighting for its continued existence as a power factor in Gaza and the survival of its leadership. The Netanyahu government has three, sometimes contradictory, goals: destroying the Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, freeing the hostages, and ensuring the continued existence of the government. Reconciling these positions so that a general pause is possible will be difficult."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed by DW News after the IDF freed two Israeli hostages.  

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed for story: "Since Hamas was in exclusive control in Gaza after 2007, they won the election in 2006, throughout Fatah by force and weapons in 2007, Israel has attacked Gaza and Hamas pretty much every single year. The last attack on Gaza and Hamas positions before October 7 was in May 2023."