(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs) Lt.-Col. (ret.) Jonathan D. Halevi - Documents seized in Gaza revealed a partial picture of Hamas's goals and intentions prior to and during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The documents reflect Hamas's determination to advance the armed struggle in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), to prepare its forces in Gaza for military action within the framework of unifying the regional conflict fronts, and to continue Hamas's efforts to deepen the divisions in Israeli society. One document reflects the understandings that Hamas reached with Iran and Hizbullah that centered on building a military front intended to liberate Palestine in a pre-coordinated military move while exploiting the element of surprise. Ultimately, Hamas leader Sinwar chose to attack Israel without pre-coordinating the date with Iran and Hizbullah, in the belief that the axis of resistance, including the Arabs of Judea and Samaria and Israel, would inevitably join the battle. The writer is a senior researcher of the Middle East and radical Islam at the Jerusalem Center.
2025-01-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive