Kemal Kilicdaroglu

A new study reveals exclusive materials on how Hamas has understood Israel since 2021, and the preparations and decisions leading to the October 7, 2023 attack. The study, led by Lt. Col. (res.) Jonathan Dahoah-Halevi, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), is based on primary sources, including the official Hamas newspaper Palestine , the official website of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and Telegram channels closely documenting what occurs in the Gaza Strip. The study shows that Hamas, in cooperation with other terrorist organizations, planned a combined attack from all fronts, including the capture of strategic areas in the Galilee and the Negev, an armed intifada in Judea and Samaria and among Israeli Arabs, and the launching of rockets to damage major infrastructure in the country. According to Lt. Col. Dahoah-Halevi, the attack was planned as an opportunity to exploit Israel's political crisis and the damage to the operational competence of the IDF. Furthermore, the study reveals that Hamas members and journalists close to the organization's leaders pre-published the outline of the planned attack, including the capture of bases and settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip. Sinwar's decision to launch the campaign without coordinating the date in advance with Hezbollah disrupted the implementation of the original plan. Related articles: Former hostage Karina Engel recounts October 7 attack UN report blames Israel, not Hamas, for starvation of hostages Religious hate crime hits record high in England and Wales NYPD to probe attack on pro-Israel activist in Manhattan Among the findings of the study, it was revealed that the strategy to liberate Palestine through Jihad, developed by Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar, included the vision of "End of Days" – the Islamic prophecy and promise of ultimate victory of Muslims over infidels, including the conquest of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the destruction of the Jews. As part of this, Sinwar established a joint operations room that brought together all the military branches of the Palestinian organizations, operating under his command to implement a coordinated military plan. Sinwar viewed the May 2021 round of fighting during Operation Guardian of the Walls as a successful trial for the new strategy that led to the planning of the October 7 attack, which was based on the incorporation of additional arenas of confrontation like Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. As a result, Hamas began prioritizing military build-up and force preparation already at that time in anticipation of a wide-scale attack. Lt. Col. Dahoah-Halevi explains, "Already in a speech in April 2022, Sinwar said 'Before us is a great opportunity to make a grand move,' thereby hinting for the first time and directly at the grand plan of the surprise attack to capture the area surrounding Gaza." Furthermore, in December 2022, Sinwar announced the military plan as Operation Thunder Storm and in fact already at that time, unveiled the name chosen for the October 7 attack. "About four months later," emphasized the Jerusalem Center researcher, "Sinwar stated aloud that the 'End of Days' campaign is close to being executed." The study also highlights Hamas' deception maneuvers, which created a false impression in Israel regarding its strategic intentions to convince Israel that Hamas is deterred and focused on preparations for a tunnel-based attack, while in reality, a widespread ground and air attack was planned. "Hamas' claims of responsibility for terrorist attacks, including in Israel, taught that the organization does not feel deterred – quite the reverse," explained the researcher, emphasizing: "They conveyed a message that it is not afraid to carry out openly provocative moves towards Israel based on the assessment that it is Israel that is deterred and would fear attacking it in the Gaza Strip."

Kemal Kilicdaroglu

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