IDF sees chance to renew Gaza fighting after Hamas refuses Board of Peace offer to disarm

Senior officials in the Israeli military are reportedly pushing the political leadership to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas leadership continues to reject offers for a negotiated end to the war by the U.S.-led Board of Peace (BoP).

Sources told The Jerusalem Post that while “Hamas didn’t say no, but essentially it is almost impossible to bridge the gaps” between the terror group’s demands and the proposals made by the BoP.

According to Army Radio, senior IDF generals are arguing that the current situation may present an opportunity to defeat Hamas, noting that the military has gradually expanded its control to about 59% of the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, with Board of Peace Director General Nickolay Mladenov and his team. pic.twitter.com/QPO1e7UcJy

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 5, 2026

This comes as a document obtained by The Times of Israel shows that the BoP will reportedly not pressure Israel to adhere to the ceasefire terms if Hamas doesn’t accept its framework for the group’s disarmament, which is also outlined in the agreement.

Since the end of the fighting last October, experts and military officials have repeatedly warned that Hamas is reasserting its control over the population in the 41% of territory under its control, while ramping up the production of weapons, including rockets.

Senior officials within the IDF General Staff told Army Radio that the mission in Gaza hasn’t been completed, and that fighting should resume with the same goal as before – to end Hamas' rule in the Gaza Strip.

The report noted that the Israeli military has taken active measures to prepare for a resumption of fighting, including new operational plans and thinning out forces in other areas.

As part of the preparations, the IDF has ramped up targeted killings of terrorists, killing over 100 Hamas operatives in recent weeks. In addition, the Israeli military expanded its control from 53% to 59% of the Gaza Strip.

🔴ELIMINATED: Ibrahim Abu Tzakar, a terrorist operating under the cover of a paramedic.

Abu Tzakar planned to carry out an imminent terror attack against IDF troops. He previously led and advanced attacks against the IDF and the State of Israel. By using the cover of a paramedic… pic.twitter.com/LC9nGrS9zd

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 30, 2026

However, some officials have warned that a new, large-scale ground operation would necessitate another large mobilization of reserve troops, which have already served an average of about 80 days this year, and are advising that such an operation be postponed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with BoP Director-General Nickolay Mladenov, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Aryeh Lightstone, the chief director of Gaza reconstruction, and other senior board officials. Two sources described the meeting as positive, the Times of Israel reported.

An Israeli source told the JPost that Israel, the BoP and the United States are not surprised by Hamas’ refusal to disarm and continue to cooperate closely.

🔴ELIMINATED: The terrorist Iyad Ahmed Abd al-Rahman Shambari, Head of the Operations Department in Hamas’ Military Intelligence Headquarters.

The terrorist was a key figure engaged in gathering intelligence on IDF troops in order to direct and execute attack plans against IDF… pic.twitter.com/uCJTSXfRU9

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 29, 2026

One source said, “There is no gap between Israel and the Board of Peace regarding the ultimate goal for the situation in Gaza – namely, the disarmament of Hamas – and that only this can lead to the reconstruction of the Strip.”

The BoP disarmament plan envisions Hamas first surrendering its heavy offensive weapons, mainly rockets, while its tunnel network is destroyed. In a later phase, militants of all terror groups in Gaza would be required to give up their personal light weapons as well.

According to the Times of Israel, a letter sent by Mladenov and Lightstone to the head of the Palestinian technocratic government (NCAG) in Gaza, stated that Israeli commitments to limit military strikes, or to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, would be considered “null and void” if Hamas refuses to disarm.

A Hamas operative who was planning an attack on Israeli troops was killed in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip yesterday, the military says.

The IDF says Ibrahim Abu Sakkar had planned an attack on troops "in the immediate timeframe" and during the war led numerous attacks on… pic.twitter.com/hfxdo32RzK

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 30, 2026

Mladenov and Lightstone noted that they had received assurances from Israel that it would adhere to a previously unpublished humanitarian annex to the October ceasefire agreement, including suspension of “all military operations,” in early April, before Hamas allowed a deadline to agree to the disarmament plan to elapse on April 11.

On Saturday, the terror group responded with a counteroffer, proposing that the weapons issue be postponed and dealt with as part of a framework for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

After their meeting on Tuesday, Mladenov wrote that he had a “positive and substantive discussion” with Netanyahu.

“We all reaffirmed our commitment to the full implementation of President Trump’s 20-Point Comprehensive Plan. Working with all sides to turn commitment into concrete actions. This will require decisions for progress. We keep moving forward in the interest of a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.”