IDF: Hamas Has Full Control of Gaza, Ceasefire in Jeopardy

Israeli defense officials are warning that Hamas has nearly restored full civilian control over the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire, while using humanitarian aid as a major source of income and renewed authority.

According to a report by N12, the IDF and defense establishment now believe the volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza should be significantly reduced. Officials said the assumptions that guided policy immediately after the war are no longer relevant, and that there is no current shortage in Gaza that justifies the entry of around 600 aid trucks per day.

A defense official told N12 that the amount of food entering Gaza each day is four times higher than what is required under the UN’s official methodology. Officials said that the oversupply has allowed Hamas to exploit the aid system, rebuild its civilian governance and generate revenue.

According to the report, most of the aid is reaching Hamas or Hamas-linked channels. The terrorist organization is reportedly collecting taxes from Gaza merchants at rates of up to 30%, with the money being used to rebuild its military and governing capabilities.

“The humanitarian aid has become an economic engine for Hamas,” military sources said, adding that the system is bringing hundreds of millions of shekels into the organization’s coffers at the expense of Gaza’s civilian population.

Defense officials said Hamas ministries and municipalities have resumed work almost fully, allowing the group to reestablish itself as the governing power in the Strip. The activity reportedly includes aggressive market taxation, looting of aid shipments and renewed smuggling attempts.

The warnings come as Hamas continues to reject the central condition of the ceasefire agreement: disarmament. Israel, the United States and the Board of Peace have all maintained that reconstruction cannot advance while Hamas remains armed and in control.

The situation may now be nearing a diplomatic breaking point. According to N12, Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov is close to declaring that Israel is no longer bound by the ceasefire, on the grounds that Hamas has repeatedly and seriously violated its terms.

Israeli officials said Mladenov has so far avoided such a move because of heavy pressure from mediators, who are still trying to find a compromise formula that would prevent the agreement from collapsing.

Defense officials said the current arrangement cannot continue if humanitarian aid is effectively strengthening Hamas rule.

“Hamas’s insistence on refusing to disarm and its takeover of resources requires us to recalculate our course,” security officials said.