Terrorist to 'Times': How Hamas is using the ceasefire to rebuild its arsenal

If there is no last-minute change, Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel this week, attempting to perform a miracle. Also: Here’s why Israel has not yet resumed the war.

Despite Israel and Hamas reaching a breaking point, the war has not yet restarted, and Gaza is bustling with activity as though it were before Iron Swords.

While Israel accepted Witkoff's proposal to release half of the hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire (in the months of Adar-Nisan), Hamas rejected the Israeli offer, stating that they would only accept a proposal that includes Israel's complete withdrawal in line with phase B.

Nonetheless, smoke is not yet rising from the terror enclave, except for isolated incidents, and there are several reasons for this.

Israel is awaiting the arrival of Steve Witkoff in the region, the man who succeeded in brokering the first ceasefire and the release of hostages in recent weeks, and is giving the negotiations another chance, though it may not last long. Additionally, The New York Times reports, citing analysts, that Hamas may be willing to release a small number of hostages and bodies in exchange for prisoners, since the terror organization is already holding several living hostages.

This assumption, which Israel is aware of, might be the reason Jerusalem has refrained from renewing the fighting in Gaza, at least not in the immediate timeframe.

In the meantime, every day that passes is a gift for Hamas, as the group takes advantage of the ceasefire to rebuild its deadly arsenal for future battles against IDF soldiers.

According to a Hamas terrorist speaking to The Times, Hamas operatives are collecting unexploded Israeli bombs from around the strip and turning them into improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It is also likely that a significant number of rockets are being produced in Gaza these days using a similar method.

The use of unexploded Israeli bombs by Hamas has been reported before. Often, a significant percentage of bombs dropped on the strip fail to detonate and become valuable spoils for Hamas operatives.

The terrorist added that, at this point, Hamas can replace the fighters lost in the war and appoint new commanders for its various battalions.

Israel, too, is preparing for the post-ceasefire phase. According to The Times, the IDF will target terrorists who steal humanitarian aid from the strip and strike Hamas government buildings throughout Gaza.

"Any new operation will focus on Hamas operatives who have seized aid intended for civilians, as well as the destruction of Hamas-controlled government buildings and infrastructure," Israeli sources told The Times.