According to a report from i24NEWS, Shin Bet chief David Zini warned the security cabinet that Hamas is attempting to stall and prevent Israeli military moves in the Gaza Strip in the coming months, aiming to drag the process until after the upcoming elections. The report adds that during the cabinet discussion, it emerged that Israel did not sign the Peace Council's disarmament roadmap.
i24NEWS reported Friday afternoon that Shin Bet chief David Zini warned the security cabinet during a Thursday night session that Hamas is attempting to stall and prevent Israeli military moves in the Gaza Strip over the coming months, aiming to drag the process until after the upcoming elections. The report adds that during the cabinet discussion, it emerged that Israel did not sign the Peace Council's disarmament roadmap.
The Zioneer first reported the warning at 10:52 Friday, when Zini told ministers that Hamas is using the disarmament agreement with the Peace Council to "trap and block" Israel, and that all ministers urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to enter the 14-day "disarmament preparation period" that would halt targeted killings. The Eye on Zion daily briefing at 16:08 summarized the warning as a strategic trap. Earlier reports from ynet detailed that Zini described Hamas's view of the roadmap as a "political October 7" — a strategic deception opportunity.
The Peace Council's roadmap, published July 31, proposed keeping heavy weapons under Palestinian control and a phased IDF withdrawal. Israel has not signed that document, and the i24NEWS report confirms that stance remains unchanged. Previous assessments by Israeli officials, reported July 30, described Hamas's approach as a "spin" to stall negotiations.
The cabinet has not yet issued a formal response to the i24NEWS report. The Shin Bet chief's assessment underscores the growing tension between the desire for a diplomatic resolution and the operational need to maintain freedom of action against Hamas in Gaza.
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