ALBAWABA - Gaza is entering a new phase of escalation, with the political arrangements announced after the formation of the "International Peace Council" remaining without a clear implementation mechanism.
In addition, the Gaza ceasefire agreement included the disarming Hamas. However, until today, the removal of the Palestinian group's weapons is still excluded from any practical solution that would pave the way for governing the Strip and reconstruction.
In the weeks when the war with Iran dominated regional and international affairs, the Gaza war became less important, though the conditions for an explosion remained.
According to Israeli claims, Hamas' weapons prevented the establishment of an accountable civilian authority, and Israel continued to enforce the military's freedom of movement. Meanwhile, Washington pushed for a ceasefire that would evolve into a viable security and political framework.
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on April 13, 2026. Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA / AFP
This setback gives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greater leverage to resume military pressure in Gaza, especially after the political cost of ending the war with Iran and the increasing fragility of his governing coalition in the months leading up to a crucial period in Israeli politics.
Israel considers military escalation in Gaza:
A regional source familiar with the communications regarding the Gaza file stated that "recent days have witnessed a clear increase in the level of Israeli messages directed to mediators. These messages focused on Tel Aviv's view that the continued existence of Hamas's security infrastructure within the Gaza Strip prevents any transition to a broader political phase, especially after the formation of the International Peace Council and the continued suspension of the field management mechanism at the initial coordination level."
The source added to Erem News that "Israel has informed several mediating parties that the current ceasefire does not signify a complete freeze on its military operations within Gaza, and that the Israeli army considers any attempt to reorganize Hamas's security forces as a direct cause for expanding limited operations." The source indicated that "the recent strikes fell within this framework and have not yet been presented as a large-scale ground campaign."
