{
  "id": 358649,
  "title": "Israel's restraint in Gaza may give Hamas the opening it needs to take its power back - analysis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/israels-restraint-in-gaza-may-give-hamas-the-opening-it-needs-to-take",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T08:34:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-904940"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have made substantial progress in Gaza, holding 65-70% of the territory, according to different sources. Israeli Chief of Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, has championed a policy of halting terrorism, targeting those involved in the October 7 attack and those involved in current terrorist actions against Israel and Hamas. This involves a mix of intelligence from the Shin Bet, IDF Intelligence Directorate, and aerial firepower.\n\nHowever, recent shifts in policy appear to have given Hamas an opportunity to reclaim power in Gaza. The Israeli government caved to U.S. pressure and allowed a multinational force into Gaza before Hamas had disarmed and transferred power to a technocratic government. This move came after internal defense establishment criticism over the government's concessions to the U.S. peace plan, ignoring Hamas' potential for rebuilding, specifically its military wing.\n\nFollowing criticism, the Israeli government halted targeted killings in Gaza without proposing alternatives. This stance has been criticized from both the Israeli government and the policies of U.S. envoy Nikolay Mladenov and the technocratic government, which are prioritizing the rehabilitation of Gaza, particularly the southern region, without a robust framework to prevent Hamas' return to dominance.\n\nThe U.S. plan for developing Rafah, including the rapid construction of new cities, is also drawing criticism. Experts question the quality and speed of these projects, arguing they do not align with creating a functioning municipal system for the 50,000 Palestinians in the area, not involved in terrorism. Moreover, a Nukhba operative linked to the October 7 attack was arrested near Kerem Shalom Crossing after receiving authorization to transport humanitarian aid. The combination of these developments leaves open the possibility that Israel's approach towards Gaza may be dangerously destabilizing.",
  "summary": "Shortly after criticism emerged from within the defense establishment over the pragmatism the government showed toward Trump's peace plan, a decision was made to completely halt targeted killings.",
  "key_points": [
    "Israeli forces control 65-70% of Gaza territory.",
    "Hamas gains opportunity to reclaim power in Gaza.",
    "U.S. pressure leads to Israel halting targeted killings in Gaza."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Israel's restraint in Gaza appears to be handing Hamas an opportunity to regain control, as the policy shift abandons efforts to target Hamas members and dismantle its military wing.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/358649.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Netanyahu rejects US Gaza plan, vows no pullout until Hamas disarms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/netanyahu-rejects-us-gaza-plan-vows-no-pullout-until-hamas-disarms-373720",
        "published": "2026-08-09T11:39:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Netanyahu says Israel won't pull out of Gaza before Hamas disarms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/netanyahu-says-israel-wont-pull-out-of-gaza-before-hamas-disarms",
        "published": "2026-08-09T11:46:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Netanyahu rejects US Gaza plan, vows no pullout until Hamas disarms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/netanyahu-rejects-us-gaza-plan-vows-no-pullout-until-hamas-disarms-374110",
        "published": "2026-08-09T11:53:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Netanyahu rejects US Gaza plan, vows no pullout until Hamas disarms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/netanyahu-rejects-us-gaza-plan-vows-no-pullout-until-hamas-disarms-373477",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:01:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Netanyahu rejects US Gaza plan, vows no pullout until Hamas disarms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/netanyahu-rejects-us-gaza-plan-vows-no-pullout-until-hamas-disarms",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:06:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Israel rejects 15-point plan for Gaza, Netanyahu says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/israel-rejects-15-point-plan-for-gaza-netanyahu-says",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:06:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Netanyahu rejects Gaza withdrawal plan until Hamas fully disarmed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/netanyahu-rejects-gaza-withdrawal-plan-until-hamas-fully-disarmed",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:26:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Israel rejects Donald Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace plan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/israel-rejects-donald-trumps-gaza-board-of-peace-plan",
        "published": "2026-08-09T12:51:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Israel 'rejects' the US ceasefire plan for Gaza accepted by Hamas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/israel-rejects-the-us-ceasefire-plan-for-gaza-accepted-by-hamas",
        "published": "2026-08-09T13:25:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}