Israeli military leadership has issued directives prohibiting the use of certain military capabilities in offensive operations, reserving them exclusively for defensive purposes in case of significant changes in the security situation, according to Israeli security sources [1]. The restriction reflects mounting tensions within Israel’s security establishment over how to handle Gaza’s future, particularly as negotiations over Hamas disarmament have stalled.
The directive comes as Hamas has agreed in principle to a roadmap for transferring civilian control of Gaza to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza [1]. However, Israel views the agreement as conditional on parallel progress in Israeli military withdrawal and Hamas compliance with ceasefire obligations – conditions that remain unmet.
Israeli officials have demanded that Hamas disarm before any major Israeli withdrawal from Gaza [1]. This fundamental disagreement has emerged as one of the primary obstacles to implementing the broader peace framework. Hamas, according to Israeli security assessments, is deliberately avoiding a choice between complete surrender or a return to full-scale conflict, instead attempting to keep both options open [1].
Hamas faces competing pressures. On one hand, the organization seeks to avoid a large-scale military confrontation that could result in the assassination of its leadership and severe harm to Gaza’s civilian population [1]. On the other hand, Hamas is reportedly unwilling to relinquish military capabilities before Israel’s long-term intentions in Gaza become clear and before the structure of Palestinian governance is finalized [1].
The military restrictions also reflect uncertainty about Israel’s political direction. Knesset elections are scheduled for October 27 [1], and there is no certainty about which government will take office afterward or what policies it will pursue toward Gaza. This political ambiguity appears to have influenced the military’s decision to constrain certain operational capabilities rather than deploy them.
In January 2026, the Israeli military developed a plan for disarming Hamas that was presented to southern command leaders [1]. Field units began what the southern command described as “advanced” preparatory combat measures, indicating that Israel has been actively preparing for the possibility that Hamas will not voluntarily surrender its weapons [1].
In May 2026, Israel formally refused to allow a multinational peacekeeping force stationed in Kiryat Gat to conduct a tour of Gaza, stating that such visits would only be permitted after Hamas is dismantled and its weapons are delivered to Palestinian authorities, and after a technocratic government is established in Gaza [1]. The refusal signaled Israel’s determination to maintain security control over the territory until disarmament is verified.
The current military directive suggests that Israeli security planners are preparing for a prolonged stalemate rather than either a negotiated resolution or renewed large-scale conflict. By restricting certain capabilities to defensive use, the military appears to be hedging against multiple scenarios: maintaining readiness for potential renewed fighting while signaling restraint to international mediators and domestic political actors.
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Sources
- [1] Report from الإعلام الفتحاوي Critical of IDF and Russian Armed Forces
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