Hamas Deception in 2018 Foreshadows 2026 Regional 'Sleep' Tactic Against Israel

In October 2018, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar told Yedioth Ahronoth that he "does not want more wars," marking the start of a five-year deception campaign by Hamas that culminated in the October 7, 2023 massacre. During those years, Israel accepted Hamas's attempts to lull it into complacency, including the transfer of Qatari funds to Gaza, arrangements for Gaza's regulation, and allowing Gazan workers into Israel. On June 3, 2024, Kan News revealed that a country in the region advised another to sign an agreement with Israel to "put it to sleep" and prepare for war. Some analysts interpret this as a large-scale deception operation akin to Sinwar's, but targeting a state with a far stronger military than Hamas's armed wing. Others suggest the agreement might be genuine but could be broken later, which still poses a problem for Israel by legitimizing violations of agreements. The report sparked intense reactions and fears of further regional agreements that might undermine Israel's security. However, next month marks six years since the Abraham Accords, which remain largely successful, alongside the enduring peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.