CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler writes: "A complete ceasefire is unlikely to be reached; a reduction in fighting is more realistic. Hamas is fighting to continue existing as a power factor in Gaza and for the survival of its leadership. Netanyahu’s government has three, sometimes contradictory, goals: destroy Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza, free the hostages and ensure the government’s continued existence. It will be difficult to reconcile these positions so that a general pause is possible."

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

CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace and CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler write: "Evidence implicating UNRWA employees in the 7 October terrorist attacks should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed the activities of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees closely. 

Allegations that some UNRWA workers were in fact Hamas operatives are merely the latest iteration of a much larger problem plaguing the international aid sector. 

A stunning lack of oversight and regulation of humanitarian funds over the past several decades has allowed untold billions in taxpayer money to make their way into terrorists’ coffers."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler: "Combating Hamas militarily must not only be a goal. Terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler also demands that the sources of income of the terrorist organization, which has an extensive support network, be effectively prevented."

"Hans-Jacob Schindler, senior director at the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), said ammonium nitrate – which is also used as a fertilizer - is the “'explosive of choice' for making quick and cheap improvised explosive devices.

Overall, Schindler believes there are around 10,000 people in Germany who 'broadly agree with what Hamas does and are willing to take part in demonstrations, raise funds and share propaganda.'

Asked if Hamas’ presence would expand in the wake of the October 7 attacks, Schindler said: 'Yes, it has grown already.'"

"'There is insufficient recognition in the [EU] text of the Hamas atrocity that started this round of conflict,' said Fitton-Brown, who is now an adviser to the Counter Extremism Project, a non-profit group based in Germany and the US.

'There is also insufficient recognition of Hamas' explicit commitment to treat any ceasefire as an opportunity to regroup and do it again; with the ultimate aim of killing Jews and destroying the state of Israel. This needs to be stated upfront,' he said."

"Hamas’s wealth and financial foundation might still be largely intact. As a result, the militant group could potentially recover despite the devastation in the enclave, said senior director of the Counter Extremism Project, Hans-Jakob Schindler.

He stressed the need for a global strategy to limit Hamas's finances, including stronger US and EU sanctions, closing regulatory loopholes in countries that had not previously listed the group, such as Switzerland, and globally recognising Hamas as a terrorist organisation."

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." 

"'Without the Gaza war, IS would get the headlines,' said Hans-Jakob Schindler, director of the Counter Extremism Project think tank. 'It puts considerable pressure on IS to remain relevant.'"