This is John Bachelor, conversation with Jonathan Schanser of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy.

Israel Pause pulls out the large division that's been in combat in Gaza continuously. There looks to be the eve of something

approaching a ceasefire or at least a diminution of combat in in Gaza., that leaves four battalions, we're told, of Hamas

intact underneath Rafa. What is the thinking about what's going to happen in this so-called stand-down for however long it takes a month, two months to move the people on the surface to a safe zone before the final battle.

Jonathan Shancer gives us an analysis that includes the ability of Hamas to

re-arm itself, reposition itself, underground, because the border with Egypt is not secure.

Jonathan explains very carefully.

Hamas is busy holding on to what they've got, preparing for the final battle when it comes.

A month, two months, unknown.

Politics.

It's an excellent question and I think the answer, John, is that they are rearming.

They are preparing.

They are digging in for what will be, I would imagine the fiercest battle that we've seen

yet worse than Gaza City, worse than Han Yunus,

that they are now able through the tunnels connecting Rafa to elements on the other side of the border in Egypt, they are almost certainly

rearming. From the reports that I've heard, there are anywhere between four to perhaps two dozen tunnels that are still operating in Egypt and that they are still smuggling the things that Hamas needs in order to fight. and of course Hamas fighters are able to

come and go perhaps going to places like Lebanon or Iran for training or consultation

so this is not a good thing as far as Israel's concern.

This is giving Hamas the time and space that it needs to prepare the battlefield.

Of course, the Israelis have the technology, they have the manpower to overcome it, but I would suspect that this final battle will be a rather fierce one.

More of this later, thank you.