Iran coordinating with Hamas, Hezbollah to rebuild 'Axis of Resistance,' Israeli officials warn

Iran coordinating with Hamas, Hezbollah to rebuild 'Axis of Resistance,' Israeli officials warn

AMIR BOHBOT

Hamas is closely coordinating with Hezbollah and Iran to revive and rebuild the “axis of resistance,” while the IDF expanded strikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon, Israeli defense officials said on Thursday.

Their assessments followed an IDF operation that killed the Zeitoun Battalion commander in Gaza and a series of airstrikes in Lebanon, raising questions over potential rocket fire from Gaza and Israel’s next steps on the northern front.

According to the officials, US pressure is, for now, restraining a sharper Israeli response to Hezbollah’s ceasefire violations.

According to Southern Command sources, Hamas’s “military wing” has been rebuilding its force since the ceasefire took hold, gathering intelligence, recruiting and training operatives, and preparing for escalation.

The group is reportedly searching for operational opportunities to launch a surprise, limited attack against IDF units inside Palestinian territory, in violation of the deal, the sources said.

Israeli officials say that Iran is rebuilding  'Axis of Resistance'

The sources added that Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, backed by division commanders, favors more aggressive action against Hamas’s military activity.

In parallel, Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with Iranian funding and encouragement, are working to restore terror infrastructure, smuggle and move weapons into southern Lebanonand the Bekaa Valley, recruit new operatives, and intensify training for a future round against Israel.

Military sources say Hezbollah is acting in clear violation of the ceasefire understandings and is moving in the opposite direction of demilitarizing southern Lebanon and disarming.

Recent IDF strikes have targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives involved in rebuilding capabilities, according to the military.

The sources added that the Northern Command commander would like to respond in a far more aggressive manner to Hezbollah’s violations. Still, at this stage, the United States is tying Israel’s hands behind its back.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Syria, accompanied by the defense minister, the foreign minister, and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) director, was intended to send a message to the US and to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa that Israel will not give up the security buffer on the Syrian Golan Heights.

This comes amid Sharaa’s statements about normalizing relations with Israel in exchange for an IDF withdrawal from the Syrian Golan.