Israeli Army Leaning Towards Calming Situation With Hamas, Shin Bet Supports Return of PA to Gaza

Israeli security forces stand in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israeli security forces stand in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
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Israeli Army Leaning Towards Calming Situation With Hamas, Shin Bet Supports Return of PA to Gaza

Israeli security forces stand in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israeli security forces stand in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Israel has sent a new threat message to Hamas, stating that it will not hesitate to face the launch of incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip, even if this leads to a new confrontation.

According to media reports, Israel informed Hamas through a third party, that if it continues to fire incendiary and explosive balloons, there will be a response, regardless of its implications.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that the security and military establishment was currently studying Hamas’ intentions and whether the movement really wanted to reach a truce agreement or not.

The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service have disagreements over this issue, as the army pushes towards patience and supports reaching an agreement; while the Shin Bet apparently believes that the movement may increase escalatory measures, including the launching of balloons.

The head of the Shin Bet security service, Nadav Argaman, warned the members of the mini cabinet against the consequences of maintaining financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority, while the Israeli government was working to empower Hamas. He said that the PA was a partner in combating “terrorism”, and its stability was an Israeli interest.

“There is a need to avoid any path to destabilize it [the PA]; instead, it is important to strengthen its security apparatus,” Argaman was quoted as saying.

The Shin Bet chief recommended that a settlement be reached with the Authority, which he said would allow for its gradual return to the Gaza Strip.

The Shin Bet warned against responding to Hamas’ military activities in a way that could be interpreted as a “weakness in front of terrorism,” adding that the movement was not serious about reaching a truce agreement.

The Israeli Army, on the other hand, supports the adoption of a calm approach and regards the launching of incendiary balloons as temporary.



Israel Carries Out Intense Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon, 1 Dead

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
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Israel Carries Out Intense Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon, 1 Dead

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes near Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon on June 27, 2025. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)

Israel’s air force carried out intense airstrikes on mountains overlooking a southern Lebanon city on Friday in an attack that the Israeli military said targeted Hezbollah underground assets.

The airstrikes came in two waves on the mountains overlooking Nabatiyeh and bunker buster bombs were used, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported. There was no immediate information about casualties.

Since the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November, Israel has carried out almost daily airstrikes on southern Lebanon. Friday’s strikes were more intense than usual.

The Israeli military said in a statement that its fighter jets struck a site used by Hezbollah to manage its fire and defense array in the area and is part of a significant underground project that was completely taken out of use.

The Israeli army said it identified rehabilitation attempts by Hezbollah beforehand and struck infrastructure sites in the area.

There was no comment from Hezbollah.

An Israeli drone also targeted on Friday an apartment in a two-story building in Nabatiyeh.

Lebanon's health ministry said a woman was killed and 11 other people were wounded in the strike.

"The Israeli enemy strike on an apartment in Nabatiyeh led to a preliminary toll of one woman killed and 11 people wounded," the ministry said in a statement carried by the official National News Agency.