First publication: After the assassinations in Gaza - the IDF prepares for a Hamas retaliation operation | Yossi Yehoshua

Senior officials in the Southern Command told i24NEWS that preparations must be made for the possibility that Hamas will carry out a retaliation operation following the series of targeted killings carried out by the IDF recently in the Gaza Strip. The main scenario: an attempt to abduct a soldier on the yellow line.

Senior officials in the Southern Command said today (Wednesday) in a conversation with i24NEWS that preparations must be made for the possibility that Hamas will carry out a retaliation operation following the series of targeted killings carried out by the IDF recently in the Gaza Strip. According to the officials, the recent wave of assassinations - which included two brigade commanders, a battalion commander, and a series of company commanders - is perceived by Hamas as crossing a line. The main scenario identified by the security establishment is an attempt to abduct an IDF soldier, primarily on the "yellow line." Hamas feels that the damage to its command echelon was too severe, and therefore the IDF is not currently operating only offensively - but is simultaneously playing a tough defensive game to thwart any attack attempt.