Planned Hamas Atrocity Slated for 2022
On October 7, 2023, Israel encountered an unexpected Hamas assault, indications suggest that this operation had been meticulously planned over an extended period. Evidence from a clandestine Hamas command center's underground chamber corroborates this theory. If not for Hezbollah's reluctance, the attack might have transpired a year prior.
According to the "New York Times" and "Washington Post" reports, the Hamas attack on Israel was originally scheduled for the fall of 2022. The plan was seemingly set in motion, but Hamas sought to persuade Iran and Hezbollah to participate.
The uncovered documents were allegedly discovered on a computer located in an underground Hamas command center in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, by Israeli soldiers at the end of January 2022. During this period, as per "New York Times," Hamas leaders reportedly endeavored to steer clear of small-scale skirmishes to concentrate on the "main objective," which subsequently transpired as the attack plan executed on October 7, 2023.
Though the list of participants is incomplete, Israel acknowledges the presence of Yahya al-Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, at all consultations. Mohammad Deif, Marwan Issa, and Muhammad Sinwar, top military leaders of Hamas, were also reportedly involved in the planning and were referred to by pseudonyms in the protocols.
Intentional Misdirection
In the build-up to the planned assault, as per the protocols, attempting to provoke Israel into escalating hostilities was actively avoided, to give the impression that Hamas was no longer seeking confrontation. By June 2022, the attack strategies were generally finalized, targeting 46 Israeli military posts at the Gaza border, followed by assaults on an air force base and intelligence center in southern Israel, raids on villages and cities.
To maintain internal secrecy within Hamas, the lower ranks were only to be informed of the plans just prior to the assault. By a September 2022 meeting, the plans had progressed, enabling the assault to initiate within a month. However, it remains uncertain why the plans were postponed again. The protocols suggest that Hamas was trying to secure support from Iran and Hezbollah for the operation. Hezbollah had indicated its willingness yet requested additional time "to prepare the environment."
The documents also portray Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's external leader, repeatedly receiving confidential information regarding the advancement of the "main objective" plans. The last protocol is dated August 2023, where discussions on strategies with the highest-ranking commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Lebanon, Mohammed Said Izadi, and Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, took place. Izadi was briefed about Hamas's need for Hezbollah's assistance in attacking sensitive targets "during the initial hour" of the assault. Whether a meeting with Nasrallah occurred remains unverified. Hezbollah continually denied knowledge of the plans for October 7.
The choice to execute the attack by the end of 2023 was finalized after Israel announced the development of a novel laser type weapon. These weapons were anticipated to neutralize Hamas rockets more effectively than their existing air defense system. The potential attack dates under consideration were Yom Kippur on September 25th and Simchat Torah on October 7th. Ultimately, the decision was made for October 7, 2023.
The planned attack by Hamas, as revealed by the documents, was initially scheduled for the fall of 2022 and was intended to target 46 Israeli military posts at the Gaza border. Despite the delay, the attack eventuality was to take place in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
