(BESA Center for Strategic Studies-Bar-Ilan University) Lt.-Col. (res.) Dr. Shaul Bartal - An analysis of articles published on Hamas websites and in secret seized protocols shows that the main goal of its Oct. 7 Al-Aqsa Flood attack was to prevent a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which is a distinct Iranian interest. Yahya Sinwar represented the connection between Hamas and Iran. His survival, as the man who symbolized the Oct. 7 war for Hamas, was in itself an image of victory over Israel. His elimination constitutes a counter-image of Israeli victory, regardless of how the war ends. The war Hamas started on Oct. 7 has destroyed Gaza. Hamas is well aware that its support among the Gazan population is at an unprecedented low. The majority of the Palestinian population in the Strip currently believes Hamas's decision to launch the invasion was based on incorrect assumptions and a strategic mistake. The writer is a senior researcher at the BESA Center.
2024-11-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive