Shin Bet Chief Confirms Hamas Planning Gaza Kidnapping Attempt

The head of the Shin Bet security agency confirmed a report by i24NEWS military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua that Hamas is planning another kidnapping operation in the Gaza Strip. This intelligence has been held for over two weeks, indicating Hamas's intent to carry out a kidnapping attack against IDF forces operating in the Strip. In response, a significant deployment of two divisions, spread across more than 40 positions deep within Gaza, has been established. This positioning makes it more difficult for soldiers to protect each other and easier for militants to emerge from tunnels or rubble, as not all Hamas infrastructure has been destroyed. A senior security official told i24NEWS two weeks ago that Hamas is under pressure from increased IDF targeted killings and is attempting a kidnapping to halt these operations. The official also warned that if Hamas proceeds with the threat, Israel could face another campaign amidst its election period.