IDF Officer in Gaza Warns: "Hamas Is Growing Stronger Right Before Our Eyes"

By Nitzan Shapira

News Summary

• Hamas is exploiting the focus on Lebanon and Iran to rehabilitate and

  strengthen itself in the Gaza Strip.

• An IDF officer currently serving in the Strip warns that the organization is growing stronger right before the forces' eyes.

• According to the officer's testimony, combat materials are being smuggled into the Strip inside aid trucks.

• The officer warned that Hamas has absolute control over the areas beyond the Yellow Line in the Strip.

• Soliders warn that the army's static position is enabling Hamas to plan an attack.
  

• Why this matters: The rebuilding of Hamas under the cover of aid is seen by officials in the IDF as a return to past misconceptions.

While Israel's attention is directed primarily at Iran and Lebanon, Hamas is exploiting this to strengthen and rehabilitate itself in the Gaza Strip. This comes against the backdrop of reports that the American headquarters in Kiryat Gat is expected to close soon. An IDF officer serving in Gaza told Channel 12 News that "Hamas is growing stronger right before our eyes".

IDF Officer's Testimony on Hamas's Growing Strength

"Time is playing in their favor. We are not striking them and we are not touching them. Weapons and munitions are being smuggled in aid trucks, and also via drones that fly over us - and the army has no control over it. They (Hamas) have a very strong hold on the territory beyond the Yellow Line. We control up to the Yellow Line; they control everything beyond the Yellow Line absolutely".

"The feelings are very difficult, There’s a sense that it's only a matter of time. I want to reach my enemies and surprise them - not have them come and surprise me. We feel like we're on borrowed time here, that at some point they will come for us and surprise us. It will happen all at once in several locations, the way they know how to do it. If we don't take the initiative - we'll be caught off guard".

"What we're seeing right before our eyes is aid to Hamas. It's not going to anyone else - it's strengthening Hamas. In the past it was dollars in suitcases; today it's aid in trucks. That's the new conception, and it's happening right in front of us, simply empowering our enemy".