Hamas is rebuilding, recruiting new terrorists & producing new weapons in Gaza, Israeli military warns

With the Gaza demilitarization process reportedly stalled, signs are mounting that the Hamas terrorist organization is exploiting the ceasefire to rebuild its military capabilities, according to a top-secret document presented to Israeli leaders, Channel 13 News reported on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a Ynet News report confirmed that the Israeli military is preparing for a potential new ground operation in the Gaza Strip while trying to assess the chances for a negotiated end to the war.

The top-secret document reportedly outlined several conclusions and warnings by the IDF regarding Hamas’ continued efforts to rebuild.

Hamas is reportedly collecting intelligence on IDF troops now operating in about 59% of the enclave. The group is also said to be rebuilding its battalions with dozens of recruits per unit and carrying out “hundreds” of theoretical and practical training exercises despite the nearby IDF presence.

The document cited by Channel 13 further stated that Hamas is no longer digging new tunnels but maintaining and improving its existing infrastructure.

Hamas is also reportedly producing hundreds of explosive devices, mortars, and anti-tank rockets each month, while seeking to replicate Hezbollah’s recent use of first-person view (FPV) drones, which the IDF has struggled to counter.

“We take into account that Hamas sees what is happening with FPV drones in the north and likely wants to obtain similar capabilities, though we have not identified anything like that here so far,” a senior official told Ynet News.

On Sunday, an IDF reservist was killed by an FPV drone, bringing the total number of soldiers killed during the ceasefire to four, which came into effect on April 8, alongside one civilian killed and dozens of troops wounded.

The Israeli official continued, “At the same time, our hold on the ground is significantly more effective now. We are not stuck in positions. We initiate raids and attacks deep inside the sector. Can they attack us? Certainly. That is a major concern, but we are moving and maintaining mobility at all times.”

In recent weeks, the IDF has ramped up its targeted elimination of terrorists, killing over 100 Hamas operatives while expanding control from 53% to 59% of the Gaza Strip.

“Every threat is attacked, even if it is deep inside Gaza,” a senior military official told Ynet. “We have the tools we need from the Air Force and Military Intelligence. More can always be done, but wherever there are threats, we act.”

“There are many targeted killings of terrorists, the ones who actually carry out terrorist activity,” an official said. “Sometimes that is much more effective than targeting a senior figure everyone knows who appears only in photographs.”

However, Southern Command officials noted that a new ground operation in the Gaza Strip would require greater attention from the Air Force and Military Intelligence Directorate, whose efforts are currently focused on Hezbollah forces in Lebanon while preparing to resume fighting against the Iranian regime.

Israeli troops in Gaza continue to prepare the ground for possible new operations while destroying additional Hamas infrastructure on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line.

Troops of the Kfir Brigade recently destroyed two underground routes running for about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), including living quarters, weapons, dozens of rockets and explosive devices.

Overall, 8 kilometers (5 miles) of tunnels have been cleared in the security zone over the past six months, Ynet reported.