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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/12/hamas-planning-terror-gaza-israel/
Hamas Envisioned Deeper Attacks, Hoping to Inspire Violence in the West Bank
(Washington Post) Shira Rubin - Evidence has revealed the contours of Hamas' intentions to strike a blow of historic proportions. After breaching the Israeli border in 30 places, Hamas staged a mass slaughter of soldiers and civilians in 22 Israeli villages, towns and military outposts. Some carried enough food, ammunition and equipment to last several days and had instructions to continue deeper into Israel if the first wave of attacks succeeded, potentially striking larger Israeli cities. Hamas assault teams penetrated as far as Ofakim, an Israeli town 15 miles from Gaza, about half the distance to the West Bank. One unit carried reconnaissance information and maps suggesting an intention to continue the assault up to the border of the West Bank. Hamas sought to kick-start a new wave of violent Palestinian resistance in the region and scuttle efforts at normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states.