Israel is in ‘worst position yet to confront Hamas,’ says military source

An Israeli military source said on Monday that Tel Aviv is now in its “worst position yet to confront Hamas,” with increasing indications of the movement’s rebuilding during the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Anadolu has reported.

“The Israeli army has not carried out any effective combat operations for about two weeks, giving Hamas an opportunity to bolster its military capabilities in preparation for a new round of fighting,” the Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted the unnamed source as saying.

Israel has “shattered” the ceasefire which has been in place in Gaza since 19 January. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians have been killed in renewed bombing of the enclave by the occupation forces.

The first of an agreed three-phase ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel ended on 1 March. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to negotiate the proposed second phase of the agreement, as he seeks to release more Israeli captives without fulfilling the second phase commitments, particularly ending the genocidal war and withdrawing fully from Gaza.

The military source claimed that “continuing the ceasefire without releasing the captured Israelis does not alleviate their suffering but rather gives Hamas time to arm itself and prepare for the next battle.”

The Israeli regime estimates that there are 59 Israeli captives still in the Gaza Strip, 24 of whom are alive. Israel is holding more than 9,500 Palestinians in its prisons, where they face torture, starvation and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

“According to reports from within the army, there is growing concern about the situation on the Gaza border, as soldiers reported that Hamas is working daily to plant explosive devices and booby-trap buildings and tunnels, with the aim of harming Israeli forces if they move into the Strip,” said the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

“Hamas fighters are also monitoring the movements of the Israeli army and are gathering intelligence on its activities,” it added, noting that, “Estimates indicate that any large-scale military operation to weaken Hamas would require a massive ground invasion, involving a large number of military divisions, possibly requiring the summoning of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.”

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