Israeli media reported on Tuesday morning an official stating that a third intifada could be imminent with Hamas rearming in preparation for battle. In the aftermath of the war in Gaza and now in the context of ongoing political stalemate, the situation was described as particularly volatile.
Israel's Channel 2 radio station reported Israeli Deputy Finance Minister, Mickey Levy, warning that Palestine stands on the brink of a third intifada and outbreaks of violence may be imminent if moves are not taken soon towards lasting peace. Levy, ex-Deputy Head of Jerusalem's police forces, cited mass spontaneous participation in recent protests in support of his analysis. With clashes between young Palestinians and Israeli forces a daily occurence in Jerusalem especially in recent weeks and months, the frustration and difficulty of life in the West Bank is evident and may well ignite a third intifada, he indicated.
The same media outlet furthermore reported an Israeli military official claiming that Hamas is preparing for the next conflict rather than waiting for negotiations aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire. Rather than await negotiations, it is claimed that Hamas has begun to manufacture missiles and re-dig tunnels destroyed in the Israeli offensive in preparation for the next round of combat, which the official though could be the deadliest yet.
Whilst the miitary official admitted information was scarce, evidence indicates that Hamas' smuggling of long-range missiles and digging of tunnels is underway in preparation for more conflict.