IDF: Hamas Exploiting, Not Directing Current Terror Wave

In a situational assessment briefing Monday, IDF officials say that contrary to the popular public narrative, the IDF believes that Hamas and its leader Yahya Sinwar have not been directing the recent terror wave.

According to the report, the two terrorists who carried out the attack in Elad last week were not members of Hamas.

According to intelligence information, Hamas is deterred to a considerable degree, and the security situation in Gaza was “good.”

Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi added that every terrorist attack is considered an operational failure by the army. The IDF will continue increasing its efforts and forces deployed in the seam zone.

The IDF wants to amplify the sense of “border consciousness,” turning the security barriers into areas no one succeeds in crossing.

Currently, an unprecedented 26 battalions are operating in the seam zone and in Judea and Samaria.

At the same time, the army said in its situational assessment briefing with the political echelon that its intention was to continue trying to quell the unrest on Har HaBayis. In that context, Public Security Minister Omer Barlev and the Israel Police have agreed to Jordan’s demand to increase the power of the Waqf religious council on Har HaBayis, Kan News reported.

The Islamist Ra’am party led by MK Mansour Abbas froze its participation in the government on April 17, citing the violence on Har HaBayis. One of the demands for its return to membership in the coalition is for Israel to accept Jordan’s demands.