Hamas Has Been Increasing Efforts to Attack Troops in Gaza, Communities Across the Border, Officials Say

Israeli security officials said they had observed increasing efforts by Hamas to target IDF troops in the Gaza Strip and launch attacks on Israeli communities across the border before Israel launched its surprise attack ending the fragile ceasefire.

Defense officials warned in recent weeks that Hamas was rehabilitating its capacities under the protection of the ceasefire and rebuilding its military forces. They also said the terror group had not abandoned its intentions to attack Israel as it had during the October 7 massacre.

Hamas's rebuilding efforts, the officials warned, include reorganizing its battalions and brigades, using underground tunnels that were not discovered or building new ones, clearing IEDs placed by the terrorists from areas repopulated by civilians and placing new ones in anticipation of an incursion, and setting up rocket launchers and cameras. 

Hamas likely learned from Israel's offensive and repeated raids. The officials said the terror group had not exhausted its entire force during the war after it understood that it would be fighting Israel alone and that Hezbollah would not open a new front against Israel. 

The security forces also talked about the identified Hamas use of civilian needs to rebuild its economic strength as well as take control of municipalities across the Strip. Hamas began collecting taxes and demanding pay for humanitarian aid from the civilian population so that it could pay its operatives. (YNet/VFI News)

“Our Heavenly Father, we pray for all the innocent civilians who are being exploited daily by Hamas and are led to starvation. Please, take care of all their physical needs and comfort them in Your love and mercy. We also pray in Yeshua's Name for the complete eradication of Hamas and its ideology so that we can all live peacefully in the land You have given our forefathers.”