Yedioth Ahronoth: The Illusion of Peace in Gaza Fades... Israel and Hamas Closer to Resuming Combat

Translation by SadaNews - Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, published a lengthy report on Friday by its military correspondent, during his presence with Israeli forces in northern Gaza Strip.

The newspaper titled its report, "The Illusion of Peace Fades... The Israeli Army and Hamas Prepare to Resume Combat." It stated in the introduction: "While Trump dreams of turning Gaza into Switzerland by building towers and an airport for the residents of the enclave, clashes on the ground here are inevitable."

The report claimed that Hamas is currently working to complete a wide round of appointing leaders, producing rockets, cutting off roads, and restoring its capabilities to invade settlements and border towns once again.

According to the newspaper's claims, Hamas has appointed dozens of leaders from the Saraya, brigades, and divisions who emerged over the past two years, to replace those who were eliminated, with an average age, according to Israeli intelligence, ranging from 30 to 40 years old.

It pointed out that, in contrast, the Israeli army is fortifying the yellow line with new positions equipped with massive missiles, and flooding the tunnels with concrete.

It considered it no coincidence that the Israeli army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, designated the yellow line as a boundary line.

It indicated that senior officers see withdrawing from this line to the buffer zone at the border as part of a long-term second phase, as a major mistake that does not align with the operational reality on the ground.

The newspaper noted that the Israeli army is currently investing tens or hundreds of millions of shekels to enhance its presence on the yellow line, deploying 42-meter high cranes combined with assorted technologies to monitor any movements and improve intelligence information deep within the enclave, as well as building posts and installing various technologies.

It indicated that Israeli army forces are currently completing the demolition of 71 buildings in Beit Hanoun, and are working to pave several streets in the northern enclave for their forces. According to the translation by SadaNews.

It noted that the Israeli army is currently operating along three defensive lines, the first at the border, the second in the buffer zone ranging between 800 to 1000 meters, and the third is the area located east of the yellow line, which the army still controls, with large forces equipped with all combat and technological means, where tunnels are being detected and work is being done to destroy them, and positions are being prepared indicating that the army will remain there for a long time.

According to the newspaper, the Israeli army is not limited to defensive measures but is preparing to resume combat in the event of the ceasefire collapsing, and is ready to deploy military units within areas controlled by Hamas, which clearly dominates many sites and regions, expressing its belief that the military option is closer than the continuation of the ceasefire.