The "New York Times" has published minutes from secret Hamas meetings, allegedly found by the IDF during recent operations in Gaza. These documents detail the meticulous planning behind the October 7 attack and highlight Yahya Sinwar's attempts to enlist Iran and Hezbollah in a broader conflict with Israel.
The documents, consisting of ten meeting minutes from a small group of Hamas leaders, reveal that the attack, codenamed "The Great Project," was initially slated for fall 2022 but postponed while Hamas sought to involve its regional allies. Key discussions referenced the political unrest within Israel as a motivating factor for launching a "strategic battle."
Deceptive Tactics
Hamas leaders crafted extensive strategies to mislead Israel about their intentions, maintaining a facade of seeking calm in Gaza. In July 2023, a senior Hamas official met with an Iranian commander to request support for attacking sensitive Israeli sites. While Iran expressed conditional support, the specifics of the Hamas plan were not fully disclosed.
Impact of Regional Dynamics
The decision to attack was influenced by Hamas' aim to disrupt normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with ongoing Israeli control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hamas avoided significant confrontations from 2021 to maximize the element of surprise on October 7, a strategy discussed openly in the meeting minutes.
Intelligence Assessments and Authenticity
The documents were found on a computer during IDF searches in Khan Yunis, and experts have confirmed their authenticity. Some analysts familiar with Hamas operations noted that organized record-keeping aligns with the group's practices. However, the IDF has yet to respond to the findings, and both Hamas and Hezbollah have refused to comment.
Iran's Denial of Involvement
Iran's UN delegation dismissed claims linking Tehran or Hezbollah to the October 7 attack, asserting that all planning was conducted solely by Hamas in Gaza. U.S. intelligence has suggested that key Iranian officials were surprised by the attack, casting further doubt on direct Iranian involvement.
Strategic Considerations Revealed
The meeting records indicate that Hamas leaders planned to keep the operation secret from lower-ranking fighters until just hours before execution. They aimed to capture military positions first before targeting residential areas, which proved effective during the attack. Additionally, the leaders acknowledged the potential hardship for civilians but deemed the resultant destruction a necessary "price."
Future Implications
These revelations about Hamas's strategic planning and deceptive practices may significantly influence international perceptions and responses to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the complexities of regional alliances and the shifting dynamics of Middle Eastern politics.
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