Israel Security Agencies See Growing Hamas Readiness for Conflict

Israeli intelligence and Shin Bet sources are observing an increasing willingness within Hamas to engage in friction with Israel, a shift not seen since the initial phase of the Trump plan aimed at ending hostilities began nearly a year ago. Previously, Hamas had avoided direct confrontation, prioritizing internal organization and reconstruction within Gaza, even in response to Israeli strikes and the elimination of senior operatives.

This change in approach is attributed to a severe governance crisis Hamas is facing within the Gaza Strip. Security officials have noted a significant increase in internal conflicts between Hamas clans, with eight operatives killed in recent clashes. This internal strife has reportedly damaged Hamas's ability to maintain deterrence and control within Gaza.

The renewed friction is evidenced by the recent resumption of incendiary balloon launches from Gaza into Israeli territory. These balloons, which caused significant damage to Israeli agriculture in the past, signal a potential escalation.

In response to these developments, Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that the IDF faces no limitations in using force to neutralize threats, emphasizing the need for "aggressive enforcement policy."

Israeli security assessments suggest that Hamas may be seeking to increase conflict with Israel as a means to divert attention from its internal governance struggles. The question remains whether Hamas will escalate its actions and how Israel will leverage Hamas's weakened internal standing to its advantage.