The Israeli media report says Hamas is working to infiltrate the US-endorsed technocratic committee for Gaza, which has yet to enter the strip
Tel Aviv is telling Washington it must re-enter Gaza and resume the genocide, citing Hamas’s refusal to disarm and the resistance’s alleged plans to establish a “shadow government” within the US-endorsed committee tasked with governing the strip, Israeli media reported.
Israel has told the US and President Donald Trump that “in order for his vision of peace to be unlocked – and perhaps for him to win a Nobel Peace Prize – Hamas must be disarmed,” a source told the Times of Israel, adding that Tel Aviv is making a case to Washington that it must “go back in” and fight Hamas with full force.
“Hamas has no intention of giving up control over Gaza in practice, even if it does so in name,” the Times of Israel said in its exclusive report on 23 February.
The Israeli media outlet cites documents as saying that Hamas leader Ezzedine al-Haddad – who replaced the late Mohammad Sinwar (Yahya Sinwar’s brother) after his assassination – has issued orders for the Palestinian resistance group to make copies of all the files that it will hand over to the new government.
Hamas would still have records that could later be used to pressure employees if needed, the report claims.
“The group in recent weeks has focused on moving members of its military wing into civilian roles that are set to become part of the NCAG governing apparatus. Written orders include specific instructions about moving commanders from Hamas’s armed Qassam Brigades into civilian roles so that they will be ready to work with the new technocratic government,” it said.
A previous report by Reuters said Hamas has already named five district governors tied to the Qassam Brigades. Palestinian Authority (PA)-linked Ali Shaath, Chief Commissioner of the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), “may have the key to the car, and he may even be allowed to drive, but it is a Hamas car,” sources told Reuters.
The Times of Israel said the documents show Hamas “is preparing a shadow government” to maintain its influence via the new technocratic committee.
“There is evidence that Hamas believes another high-intensity military clash with Israel is only a matter of time,” the Israeli report went on to say.
It says Hamas is not willing to hand over its weapons and is preparing for another Israeli invasion.
“Hamas is willing to place its heavy weapons – rockets and explosives – in warehouses guarded by the IDF and Egyptians,” the report added. Previous reports have said Hamas was open to placing heavy weapons under Arab, possibly Egyptian, custodianship – jointly supervised by European forces.
It also says the resistance movement is willing to hand over tunnel maps, but would likely not report all of its tunnels – at least 60 percent of which are still intact according to the Israeli army.
However, the group fears surrendering and being left unarmed against Israeli-backed smuggling gangs, which the US is reportedly aiming to use as a new police force for Gaza.
It also wants to be ready to fight off a new Israeli invasion, the report went on to explain. “To prepare for that fight, Haddad is believed to have reorganized Hamas’s top military council last week. He appointed new intelligence chiefs, regional commanders, and heads of weapons manufacturing and propaganda.”
The new technocratic government, linked to the PA, has yet to enter the strip. The committee was meant to begin its work inside Gaza several weeks ago, but has been delayed by Tel Aviv. It is currently operating in Cairo.
Hamas has publicly announced full readiness to hand over governance, but has rejected giving up its weapons.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials are threatening to resume all-out war in Gaza.
“It is estimated that in the coming days, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to disarm and fully demilitarize Gaza,” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israel’s Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) this week.
“We have not given up on destroying Hamas. We are giving the US President a chance to do it in his own way,” he added.
“If Hamas does not comply, the Israeli army will receive international legitimacy and American backing to do it itself. The army is already preparing for this and making plans. On the political level, we have held several discussions to fine-tune these plans,” the finance minister went on to say.
“There are currently two or three alternatives we are examining to determine which is the most appropriate. One thing is certain: The army will enter and conquer Gaza if Hamas does not disarm.”
Israel has refused to abide by the terms of the so-called ceasefire deal and has killed over 600 Palestinians since the US-backed agreement went into effect in October last year.
Other recent Hebrew reports have said Tel Aviv is making plans to collapse the agreement and restart its war against the resistance.
