Israeli Military Advises Gaza Aid Halt Amid Hamas Resurgence Concerns
Israeli Military Urges Gaza Aid Suspension
Senior Israeli military officials are reportedly recommending an immediate halt to the entry of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip. The recommendation stems from an assessment that the current aid framework significantly benefits Hamas, allowing the group to recover and rebuild its capabilities, thereby undermining Israeli strategic objectives. This information comes from a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, as cited by Arab48.
Hamas’s Strategic Rebuilding and Control
According to the military assessments, Hamas is actively improving its operational status and is expected to refuse disarmament. Commanders warn that the group is rebuilding its capabilities, including the production of rockets and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the restoration of tunnels, and the appointment of new field commanders. This resurgence is reportedly occurring while the Israeli military maintains over 40 positions in a buffer zone within the territory.
Furthermore, observations of returning normalcy in Gaza – such as reopened banks and restaurants, bustling markets, and resumed agriculture and education – are interpreted by security officials as enabling Hamas to consolidate its control over the nearly two million Palestinians in the enclave.
Concerns Over Aid Flow and Funding
The military report highlights that approximately 4,200 aid trucks enter Gaza weekly, a volume deemed excessive and estimated to be three to four times the actual humanitarian need by UN assessments. Israeli officials argue that this substantial inflow directly benefits Hamas, which reportedly collects “millions of shekels daily” through taxes levied on these provisions.
Concerns were also raised regarding potential “misinformation campaigns” about weapons surrender, with military officers stressing that accepting weapons storage within Gaza constitutes a “worst-case scenario.” They advocate for an immediate cessation of the daily entry of some 600 trucks.
Strategic Impasse and Future Warnings
The military’s warnings extend beyond the aid issue, encompassing what they describe as a “lack of Israeli initiative for the next phase” in Gaza. Security officials believe the current stalemate is advantageous to Hamas, positioning Israel as a “passive party,” a situation partly attributed to Qatari-American involvement in a proposed peace plan.
Senior Israeli officers have reportedly cautioned against a “repetition of the Hezbollah model in Gaza,” referring to the continued presence of a dominant armed group near Israeli communities without its capabilities being dismantled or destroyed. They warn that the continuation of the current situation will inevitably lead to a “resumption of war.”
