IDF Reportedly Warns Hamas Is Restoring Weapons Production in Gaza

The Israeli military believes Hamas is gradually rebuilding its armed wing in the Gaza Strip and has restored a small part of its independent weapons-production capacity, according to a report published on November 2. The army's reported assessment is that operational achievements secured during the Gaza war are being eroded as the group rehabilitates its military capabilities. The military estimates that Hamas now has hundreds of rockets, predominantly of short or medium range. Its assessment describes the recovery of only a small portion of Hamas's former capacity to manufacture weapons independently. Unnamed security sources also say a substantial share of the equipment being smuggled into Gaza comes from Israel. They attribute the flow to cooperation between criminals and people within the security forces. The same report says the army wants to end its continuing operation in Hebron, regarding further activity there as unhelpful and a source of unnecessary friction in the West Bank. The military reportedly wants forces shifted away from Hebron because it does not rule out renewed fighting with Iran or Hezbollah. The proposed redeployment is linked to the army's preparations for those possible conflicts.