Hamas sees demilitarization talks as strategy to trap Israel , Zini warns

What Happened

Shin Bet Director David Zini told Israel's security cabinet on Tuesday that Hamas views a demilitarization agreement with the Board of Peace as a trap to constrain Israel's military freedom of action rather than a step toward genuine disarmament, according to sources familiar with the discussion. Zini said Hamas intends to stall the process while waiting for political developments in Israel, including elections. Cabinet ministers warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against entering a proposed 14-day 'preparatory period for demilitarization' that would require halting targeted killings of Hamas operatives. Israel has neither signed nor formally approved the Board of Peace roadmap or a related document on deploying a multinational force into Gaza, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlements Minister Orit Strock issuing a joint letter outlining reservations. Strock told The Jerusalem Post that the framework falls short of full disarmament and cautioned against transferring Hamas's weapons to a Palestinian police force operating under laws she said incentivize attacks on Jews.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The dispute exposes a fundamental gap between Hamas’s declared engagement with the Board of Peace initiative and Israel's perception of it as a ploy to limit IDF operations. This undermines the viability of the demilitarization roadmap and complicates post-war Gaza governance negotiations. The cabinet’s reluctance to approve the framework and the warning against a preparatory period signal that Israel may reject constraints on targeted strikes, prolonging the conflict. Additionally, the debate coincides with internal Israeli political pressures ahead of elections, potentially hardening Netanyahu’s position.

Watch For

Monitor whether Israel formally rejects or delays the Board of Peace demilitarization roadmap. A key near-term indicator will be any cabinet decision on the 14-day preparatory period and whether targeted killings continue. Also watch for the Board of Peace’s response and any progress on the multinational force proposal. Domestically, the upcoming Israeli elections may shift the government’s stance, as Hamas anticipates.