Hamas’s Secret Plan to Ambush the IDF Revealed – Will Israel’s Next Move Spark Chaos in Gaza?

As negotiations teeter on the brink of collapse and Israeli airstrikes intensify across the Gaza Strip, Hamas is actively gearing up for a potential IDF ground offensive, according to a report by Nitzan Shapira for N12. With Israel signaling readiness to resume full-scale combat amid stalled talks, the terror organization is recruiting new fighters, repositioning its battalions, and rigging Gaza with surveillance cameras to track and target IDF forces.

The escalating situation follows days of expanded Israeli military operations in Gaza, including a deadly strike yesterday in Beit Lahia that killed nine people, which local reports dubbed “the deadliest attack since the January ceasefire.” The IDF confirmed the strike targeted a Hamas cell operating a drone deemed a threat to Israeli troops, with additional militants later hit as they retrieved equipment. Earlier, two Hamas operatives were struck in Netzarim while attempting to plant explosives near IDF positions.

Hamas’s preparations are multifaceted. The group is training recruits for combat against Israeli soldiers, repurposing unexploded IDF ordnance into roadside bombs, and scattering explosives throughout the territory. According to Britain’s Telegraph, Hamas has also installed a network of cameras across Gaza to monitor IDF movements, enabling remote detonations and ambushes. These efforts signal the group’s intent to counter an anticipated Israeli ground maneuver, which could be imminent if diplomacy fails.

In Israel, military leaders are pressing the government to secure a hostage release deal swiftly, citing the dire condition of captives still held in Gaza. Defense officials argue that pausing a ground offensive to prioritize hostage recovery is both feasible and morally sound. However, operational plans for limited military actions have already been approved, intended as leverage to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table. Should talks collapse entirely, the IDF is poised for a broader campaign aimed at decisively defeating Hamas—a move that could come within days or weeks.

Such an operation carries significant risks. A ground incursion could endanger hostages, and with the IDF stretched thin after 18 months of conflict, it would require mobilizing hundreds of thousands of reservists.

As Israel braces for critical decisions, the stakes are high. An all-out offensive could reshape the conflict with Hamas, but at the cost of lives—both Israeli and Palestinian—and further strain on a weary nation. For now, the clock is ticking.