Amid ongoing hostage negotiations, documents were seized by the IDF in the Gaza Strip belonging to Hamas’s military wing, exposing the group’s devious preparations for a large-scale murderous attack on Israel. The documents describe Hamas’s plans for an attack on a scale similar to the one carried out on October 7th 2023, and reflect how Hamas advanced its vision for the destruction of the State of Israel.
A Shift in Hamas’s Narrative
According to a report by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center published today (Thursday), Hamas had long been aware of its military and political limitations and therefore viewed the “destruction of Israel” as a distant vision rather than an immediate goal. For years, Hamas leadership emphasized the narrative of “not losing is a victory.” However, following Operation ‘Guardian of the Walls’ in 2021, a significant shift occurred in the movement’s perspective.
The Turning Point
Following the operation, Hamas leadership began to push the idea that the destruction of Israel was no longer just a distant vision but a goal that could be achieved in the near future. This shift was also reflected in public statements made by senior Hamas officials, which were likely perceived by the Israeli side as mere boasts and not taken seriously.
“Eradicate the Zionist Entity and Remove It from Our Land”
Former head of the Research Division of Military Intelligence (AMAN) Iti Baron noted that Operation Guardian of the Walls marked a turning point in Hamas’s approach and that documents seized in Gaza strengthen this assessment. In a letter sent from the late Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Marwan Issa to Qods Force Commander Ismail Qaani on June 5th 2021, it was stated that their goal was “the great victory and removal of the cancer,” alongside a call for “the eradication of the entity and its removal from our land and holy places.”
They made it clear that Hamas would not rest until this goal was achieved, and even asked Qaani for $500 million to implement their plans within the next two years.
As mentioned, after Operation ‘Guardian of the Walls’ in May 2021, Hamas adopted a more practical approach to actualizing its vision, by coordinating with Iran and Hezbollah and garnering international support. The planning of the attack also included direct funding requests from Iran. Hamas viewed the military campaign as a tool to expand its influence in the Palestinian and regional arenas, while strengthening its offensive capabilities with the backing of nations hostile to Israel.
The October 7th Attack
Internal Hamas documents found in Gaza indicate that the organization viewed this attack as a significant step toward fulfilling its strategic goal of Israel’s destruction. In the period leading up to the attack, meetings were held between Hamas, Iranian officials, and Hezbollah, during which the possibility of an all-out campaign against Israel was discussed.
Ongoing Coordination and Practical Plans
The documents further confirm that since 2021, Hamas leadership saw the destruction of Israel as a realistic goal fully worth pursuing. Furthermore, Hamas took steps to build operational plans and coordinated them with its terrorist allies, Iran and Hezbollah. According to their perspective, Israel had become more vulnerable while the “resistance axis” was growing stronger. This idea was central to the discussions between Hamas and its partners during preparations for the October 7th 2023 attack, but this shift unfortunately flew under Israel’s radar, and was not recognized by in real-time.
The Impact of the Blow Hamas Suffered
Following the severe blow Hamas and other “resistance axis” entities suffered, it appears that their plan to destroy Israel may return to being a more distant vision. However, if Hamas manages to recover from the damage done to them by the IDF over the course of the war and receive renewed support from Iran, the terrorist organization may once again perceive the destruction of Israel as an attainable goal – and one achievable in the near future.
