Hamas May Attempt Soldier Abductions, Senior Israeli Military Official Warns

A senior Israeli military official has issued a stark warning that Hamas may attempt to abduct soldiers to gain leverage, while also revealing hundreds of thwarted attacks since the last ceasefire. The official, identified as Avi Ashkenazi, stated that Hamas could try to capture soldiers to use as bargaining chips. He also indicated that Israel might face another round of fighting in Gaza.

Since the ceasefire in October 2025, the military has conducted continuous operations, neutralizing over 700 Hamas operatives, ranging from squad leaders to brigade commanders. These actions were aimed at preventing attacks on Israeli forces and disrupting terrorist cells operating near Israeli territory. The official highlighted the effective synergy between the Southern Command and the General Staff during the recent conflict, emphasizing a policy that allowed for significant flexibility in command decisions.

According to the official, Hamas has so far refrained from retaliating against Israeli military actions and the numerous assassinations, likely to avoid granting Israel further justification for intensified operations. He expressed confidence that Hamas would find it extremely difficult to infiltrate Israeli communities due to extensive security measures.

Regarding Hamas's efforts to rebuild its tunnel infrastructure, the official stated that the military is actively working to destroy all tunnels east of the "yellow line" and is systematically locating and demolishing any tunnels crossing this boundary. He also touched upon lessons learned from the October 7, 2023, attacks, including the importance of maintaining immediate and lethal reserves and enhancing operational capabilities, such as lethality, protection, and the readiness of command posts.

The senior official anticipates that Israel will likely need to engage in another military operation in Gaza. He suggested that the future of Gaza hinges on either a political settlement where Hamas disarms, or a forceful military action leading to disarmament. While no immediate change is apparent, he believes a clearer understanding of the situation will emerge in the coming months.