NEW YORK, December 21. /TASS/. US intelligence agencies believe that the influence of the Hamas movement in the Middle East has increased after the beginning of the escalation in the Gaza Strip, CNN reported citing US officials.

According to the report, the US intelligence believes that Hamas’ authority and influence have "grown dramatically" during the conflict, because the movement managed to present itself to the international community as "the lone armed group fighting back against a brutal oppressor killing women and children."

According to CNN, the Israeli operation led to civilian casualties in the enclave, which caused a lot of criticism against the Jewish state. For many in the Middle East, Hamas has become a "defender of the Palestinian cause and an effective fighter against Israel," CNN report says.

Previously, CNN also reported that US President Joe Biden and his advisors privately warned the Israeli leadership that civilian suffering weakens the support for the IDF operation. Washington reportedly warned Israel about the growing outrage of the international community over the operation in the Gaza Strip.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas has cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. Israel also strikes parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for bombardments originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.