Shin Bet chief says Hamas using disarmament pledge to buy time

The head of Israel's Shin Bet security service, David Zini, has said Hamas is using its stated willingness to disarm under a proposed Gaza peace plan as a tactic to buy time.

According to Israeli news outlet Ynet, citing remarks made by Zini during a meeting of Israel's political-security cabinet, Hamas views the roadmap presented by the "Peace Council" for implementing the Gaza peace plan as a political victory over Israel.

He compared this to the group's perception of the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which Hamas regarded as a "military victory".

Zini said Hamas's declaration that it was prepared to disarm was, in his assessment, an attempt to deceive Israel.

"Hamas's sole objective is to buy time, calculating that in doing so we will refrain from attacking them until after the elections," he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev