Following eliminations and arrest: fears of Hamas response grow as IDF prepares

According to sources in the Southern Command, there is a growing assessment that commanders of Hamas's military wing will carry out a guerrilla operation against IDF outposts or patrols along the 'yellow line' to exact a price for the recent series of targeted eliminations and the capture of a senior Hamas official earlier this week, Walla reported on Thursday.

In the Southern Command, officials do not rule out rocket fire toward Israel as an attempt to demonstrate strength. Sources emphasized that Hamas prefers to prevent the IDF from maneuvering deep into the territory and may seek to utilize the period before elections in Israel and the US to respond to recent developments.

Accordingly, a situation assessment will be held ahead of Rosh Hashanah to consider pinpoint reinforcement of forces in the Gaza Strip, including conveying messages to Hamas that any activity against Israeli forces or the home front will be met with an unusual response from the IDF.

While the security establishment refuses to comment on the arrest of the head of Hamas's internal security apparatus, they acknowledge he is a key figure for understanding the organization's behind-the-scenes activity. They believe he will assist in clarifying critical operational plans, protected individuals, methods of operation, and the identities of field commanders recently appointed to sensitive positions.

On the day of the arrest, the IDF raised its alert level. Political officials conveyed messages through intermediaries that if there is any action from Gaza against IDF soldiers or Israeli citizens, the Israeli response will be harsh.

As part of the operation, carried out in cooperation with the Shin Bet, a special IDF force entered the Shati refugee camp. According to Palestinian reports, the force was exposed by Hamas operatives, leading to an exchange of fire, after which the unit was extracted. Palestinian sources claim the arrest did not take place.

However, Minister of Defense Israel Katz confirmed the arrest in a statement published at the end of the operation:

"This is our policy: we do not wait for threats, but pursue Hamas terrorists, eliminate them, and destroy their terrorist infrastructure."

Katz clarified that the arrest served as a response to the increase in incendiary kite launches from the Strip toward Israeli territory:

"The response to every launch from Gaza will be powerful and clear. The test will not be in their launches but in our response — and it will be harsh."