The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has revealed that the occupation military is preparing for the possibility of resuming large scale military operations in the Gaza Strip, following the ceasefire on both the Iranian and Lebanese fronts and amid security assessments indicating that Hamas has used recent months to rebuild a significant portion of its military and organisational capabilities.
According to the newspaper, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved several operational plans in recent weeks that were presented by Southern Command chief Major General Yaniv Asor. The plans were discussed as part of deliberations on the possibility of renewing ground manoeuvres inside Gaza.
Haaretz cited informed sources as saying that Asor told officials during those discussions that “there is no international actor that is capable, willing, or genuinely able to disarm Hamas,” arguing that the military would eventually be forced to launch a large scale offensive inside the Strip.
Intelligence assessments submitted by the Southern Command to the political leadership reportedly concluded that Hamas has recently succeeded in restoring parts of its infrastructure, including sections of tunnel networks and underground facilities that were damaged during the war.
The sources added that the military also believes the movement has rebuilt command headquarters and established new command and control systems following the killing of a large number of military wing leaders during Israeli operations.
The newspaper reported that the political leadership has not yet authorised the implementation of plans to expand military operations, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly pressing for preparations to be accelerated.
According to military estimates, any expanded operation would require occupation forces to enter areas that the military had previously avoided due to concerns over the presence of Israeli captives. These areas include parts of the central governorate, the al Mawasi area, and large sections of Gaza City.
Haaretz also quoted officers from the Southern Command as saying that forces currently deployed along the buffer zone inside Gaza are primarily carrying out defensive and security duties rather than conducting major offensive operations.
Cairo Talks Continue Over Gaza’s Future
At the same time, the newspaper reported that discussions between Palestinian factions are continuing in Cairo under Egyptian mediation, to reach understandings regarding the future administration of the Gaza Strip and the issue of Hamas’ weapons.
Palestinian sources participating in the negotiations stated that one of the key issues concerns the wording used to address the movement’s weapons. According to the sources, the phrase “handing over weapons” has been replaced with the term “placing weapons”, meaning that the weapons would not be transferred to Israel but rather to a mutually agreed Palestinian body.
The proposed recipient could be a force affiliated with a technocratic committee expected to oversee Gaza’s administration or a security body linked to the Palestinian Authority.
The sources said the revised wording is intended to provide Hamas with political flexibility and avoid any implication of surrender or direct transfer of weapons to Israel.
Disagreements Remain Over Gaza Administration
The talks have also addressed the future governance of the Gaza Strip. According to the report, the proposed technocratic committee could assume responsibility for internal security and the operation of civilian police services in Gaza if an agreement is reached.
However, significant disagreements remain over several key details, leaving the outcome of the negotiations unresolved.
