Shabak Chief: Hamas’s Agreement to Disarm a ‘Ruse’ to Buy Time - Sarmad

David Barnea, head of Israel’s General Security Service (Shin Bet), warned ministers participating in a meeting of the Political Security Cabinet about the risks posed by the “Gaza Peace Council” roadmap, according to sources present at the discussion.

The sources quoted Barnea as issuing a stern warning that Hamas views the roadmap from a completely different perspective than some might assume.

According to the sources, Barnea stated that Hamas regards the signing of the roadmap as a political achievement, emphasizing that the movement sees it as a political victory over Israel, comparable to what it describes as the “military victory” it achieved on October 7. This interpretation, in Shin Bet’s view, represents a dangerous reading of events that warrants close attention.

In the course of his warning, Barnea pointed to Hamas’s acceptance of the disarmament clause as part of the plan, considering this acceptance to be merely a component of a calculated deception aimed at creating an impression that differs from the reality on the ground.

He stressed that Hamas’s primary objective is to buy time, believing that Israel will not launch any attack against it before the next elections, thereby potentially granting the group an opportunity to reorganize its forces and avoid confrontation for the time being.