Following IDF strikes in Gaza, officials worry about Hamas retaliation

Concern is mounting within the IDF Southern Command that commanders in Hamas's military wing could carry out a guerrilla operation against IDF outposts or patrols along the Yellow Line in response to a series of targeted strikes and the capture of a senior Hamas official earlier this week, sources told Walla on Thursday. Southern Command officials are also not ruling out rocket fire toward Israel as an attempt by Hamas to demonstrate its strength. The sources said the assessment is that Hamas prefers the US not to allow the IDF to conduct deep operations in the strip and therefore may seek to use the period before elections in Israel and the US to respond to recent developments.Ahead of Rosh Hashanah next weekend, a situational assessment will be held to examine the possibility of a targeted reinforcement of forces in the Gaza Strip.