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Israel Is Killing Hamas Leaders in Quick Succession
(Wall Street Journal) Dov Lieber - Israeli security forces have carried out targeted killings against senior Hamas political operatives, aimed at crippling the group's ability to govern and highlighting Israel's intelligence gathering in Gaza. "It raises questions about Hamas's ability not only to protect itself as a political, military actor, but the broader population," said Sanam Vakil, a Middle East analyst at the UK's Chatham House think tank. "That Israel is reoccupying and pushing for a different outcome here really showcases Hamas's vulnerability." Israel used the ceasefire to track Hamas leaders and refresh its target lists, former Israeli intelligence officials said. Ilan Lotan, a former senior officer in the Israel Security Agency, said some Hamas leaders dropped their guard during the ceasefire and moved around in public. The elaborate public spectacles when Hamas turned over hostages provided another opportunity to gather intelligence, analysts said.