Senior Hamas officials delivered the threat to UN Middle East humanitarian coordinator Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov during a meeting at his Gaza Strip office last week and asked him to relay the message to Israeli authorities.
Alakbarov passed the warning Wednesday to Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Ynet reported.
Israeli officials cited by Ynet described the threat as unprecedented in its bluntness and directness. A document detailing the Hamas message was urgently forwarded to Israel’s political and security leadership.
Hamas officials told Alakbarov that several developments were weakening the terrorist group’s control in Gaza and said they were unwilling to accept the situation continuing, Ynet reported.
The officials cited continued IDF operations in the Gaza Strip and changes to the “yellow line” marking IDF positions. They also pointed to Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas’ cancellation of elections scheduled for November 28 as contributing to the erosion of Hamas’ position.
The Hamas representatives warned Alakbarov that the group was prepared to carry out another attack similar to Oct. 7, potentially targeting Israel, the West Bank or locations overseas, according to Ynet.
Hamas has also been required by the Board of Peace and mediators to surrender its weapons. Israeli officials cited by Ynet assess that the terrorist group will reject full demilitarization and seek to delay the process through various maneuvers.
Israel, meanwhile, has objected to the line-up of the Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern post-war Gaza.
Ynet also reported that Hamas is under financial strain and is reportedly unable to pay its members’ salaries. Israeli security establishment estimates cited in the report put the number
