Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Hamas is regrouping its military forces for a potential return to fighting with Israel in Gaza, as mediators work to salvage the cease-fire that expires this weekend in the strip. The militant group’s armed wing has appointed new commanders and begun mapping out where to position fighters in the event of a return to war, according to Arab officials who talk with Hamas.
The U.S.-designated terrorist group also has started repairing its underground tunnel network and has passed out leaflets to inexperienced new fighters on how to use weapons to mount a guerrilla war against Israel, these officials said. The preparations come as Israel and the U.S. are pushing Hamas to extend the current truce in Gaza and release more hostages before entering thorny negotiations over a permanent end to the war.
The two sides remain far apart on the basic terms of a complete cessation of hostilities. Israel wants Hamas to disarm and give up any role in the governance of Gaza, but the militant group so far refuses to cede its guns or influence over the strip. The U.S., a key mediator in cease-fire talks, has said it is committed to reaching a second stage of the truce that includes negotiations to end the war, but needs more time beyond the current cease-fire deadline of Saturday.
Hamas has signaled openness to an extension of the first stage of the cease-fire with Israel. But with the two sides currently deadlocked over the next step in its implementation, it continues to plan for another round of fighting, after 15 months of war that devastated the strip. Israel and the U.S.
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