IDF says it expects attack if talks fail

Despite Palestinian assurances that the fighting will not resume if the ceasefire negotiations end without a deal, sources in the IDF’s Southern Command tell the Walla news site they anticipate Hamas will launch a surprise attack to restart talks.

The sources say Hamas would probably attempt to strike a significant blow to Israel, either by way of an infiltration through a cross-border tunnel which has gone undetected by Israel, through small aircraft that can carry explosives, or by firing an anti-tank missile at IDF patrols on the Gaza border.

“Hamas will not hesitate to use one of its strategic assets to try to renew the negotiations, or to deteriorate the situation in the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing violence,” sources say.

The Palestinian terror group believes that an attack on Israel would give it leverage to pressure the Jewish state into a return to the negotiating table, and prevent Israel from reinstating its longstanding “quiet will be met with quiet” policy.