Residents Near Gaza Fear Hamas Strengthening Amid Declining Security Confidence

Residents in the Gaza border area express growing fears over Hamas's increasing power and a declining sense of security. Ilanit Siusa, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, told Walla on Thursday that while some residents are beginning to return, the key factor for their return is security, which she feels has not yet been restored. She highlighted ongoing concerns about Hamas's strengthening and urged the Israeli military to take action, noting that some, including herself, remain hesitant to return due to recent developments.

Yael Raz Lahiani, a resident of Nahal Oz who has returned home, described a deteriorating security atmosphere. She pointed out the simultaneous reduction of Israeli military forces and Hamas's growing strength, fearing a repeat of the October 7 attacks or future infiltrations by militants. Raz Lahiani expressed disappointment that security has not improved even after three years since the last major attack.

Separately, Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kerem Shalom crossing regarding the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. Lieberman accused Netanyahu of surrendering Israeli decision-making autonomy to the United States, claiming Israel cannot make any security decisions without U.S. approval. He warned that this dependence repeats the mistakes that led to the October 7 massacre and described the situation as a "bankruptcy" of Israeli sovereignty in security matters.