Israel prepares for Phase 2 trap in Gaza as Hamas resumes regime of terror

Meir Ben Shabbat: Currently in Hamas, they are very interested in moving to Stage B and are acting to convince the mediating countries and through them, the United States, to pressure Israel to do this.

This is the stage that is supposed to provide them with one of the most important achievements from their perspective, after the war: A significant Israeli withdrawal from Gaza territories, including the southern, northern, and eastern areas under current IDF control,  except for a narrow security strip [the security perimeter]. This stage is supposed to pave the path to a full withdrawal in stage C.

For Israel, the primary goal remains disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of Gaza, not a ceasefire. The transition to the second stage, without a practical plan for demilitarization, is not an Israeli interest. The opposite is true!. IDF control in the areas from which it is supposed to evacuate not only improves security preparedness for multiple scenarios, it also leaves in Israel’s hands a significant pressure lever on Hamas and on the mediating countries.

Published in JNS, December 24, 2025.