Shin Bet Chief Warns Israeli Cabinet Hamas Sees Peace Plan as Political Victory

Shin Bet chief David Zini warned Israeli security cabinet members on Thursday that Hamas views the peace roadmap proposed by the Gaza Peace Council as a political equivalent of the October 7 attack. According to sources present at the meeting, Zini described Hamas’s perception of the plan as a diplomatic victory over Israel. He cautioned ministers that Hamas might exploit the process to delay Israeli military action against the group.

Zini also addressed Hamas’s apparent agreement to disarm under the plan, calling it a deceptive tactic aimed at buying time rather than genuinely dismantling its capabilities. He explained that Hamas believes Israel will refrain from attacking in the near term, anticipating that any decisive action will be postponed until after Israel’s upcoming elections.

In response, several cabinet ministers urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to accept the current form of the roadmap. They advocated resuming targeted assassinations in Gaza and rejecting the proposed 14-day ceasefire, which was pushed by the United States and the Gaza Peace Council to facilitate the peace plan. Opponents argued that a pause in operations would give Hamas the time it seeks.

The cabinet discussion centered on how Israel should respond to Hamas’s conditional acceptance of the roadmap and disarmament, given the Shin Bet chief’s assessment that the group is attempting to stall. Netanyahu’s decision on the ministers’ demands was not disclosed at the time of the report.