TIP–Hamas arresed a terror cell responsible for launching a rocket into Israel, the latest in has a string of incidents indicating the terror group may be struggling to maintain control over the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of this summer’s war with Jerusalem. The group put out a hasty statement denying any knowledge of the launch and re-committing itself to preventing a resumption of hostilities with Jerusalem. According to experts, Hamas has not managed to fill the power vacuum created amid what the Israelis characterized at the end of Operation Protective Edge as an “extraordinary escalation” aimed at forcing Hamas to concede to ceasefire terms.

The Israeli Air Force killed Rafah area commander Raed Al-Attar and Muhammad Abu Shamala, head of Hamas’s southern command. A different strike may have killed Hamas’s military chief Muhammed Deif. Their deaths had been broadly assessed as devastating for Hamas, Hamas’s warfighting capabilities are significantly eroded. Hamas has still not secured any of the core demands–the opening of the Egypt-Gaza border, the removal of Israel’s import restrictions, the payment of Hamas worker salaries–over which it had fought and extended the conflict.

On Tuesday. AP reported that “none of the gains [Gazans] hoped for from the war have been realized” and that “Gazans grimly note that none of Hamas’ stated objectives… was achieved.” Hamas claimed victory in the conflict, and has been blasted by among others, PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Top Hamas officials have been openly complaining that landlords are refusing to rent apartments to members them because. The owners reportedly fear that the structures will be used for military purposes by Hamas and subsequently destroyed by Israel.