Hamas attack on Israel

The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel represents a historically significant event and a significant failure for Israeli intelligence. Planned with extreme meticulousness for months or perhaps over a year, the attack resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and numerous casualties among military and civilians. Analysis of the events and strategies adopted by Hamas highlights the need for international efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel

The Hamas terrorist attack constitutes a historically significant event, comparable to 9/11 for Israel. The tragic figures speak of 600 confirmed deaths, 2,000 injured individuals, and hundreds of people taken hostage or missing, including both military and civilians. This operation, planned with extreme meticulousness for months or perhaps over a year, coincided with the fiftieth anniversary of Yom Kippur, a historic period in which the Egyptian and Syrian armies also exploited the surprise effect. Similarly, Hamas launched its attack unexpectedly.

The event marks a significant failure for Israeli intelligence, particularly for the Shin Bet, the internal security service. This demonstrates how an aura of invincibility can sometimes lead to underestimating the capabilities of the adversary. To better understand the events, it is important to consider the strategy adopted.

The planning of the attack was detailed and accurate. It is likely that Hamas benefited from the assistance of Hezbollah advisors or directly from the Al Quds unit, the Pasdaran's specialized unit for foreign operations. Additionally, it appears that a thorough study of recent conflicts, including the one in Ukraine, was conducted to draw valuable lessons and apply them to the planning of the attack.

Based on the limited data available and analysis of the available video footage, we can make the following observations. The attack began with a massive barrage of rockets against Israeli cities, reaching as far as Tel Aviv.

It is estimated that at least 3,000 rockets were launched in an extremely short period of time, with the aim of overwhelming the Iron Dome defense system. This strategy was intended to divert attention from a more traditional action, albeit executed with exceptional intensity.

Simultaneously, attacks with drones were launched against Israeli observation posts and military installations along the security barrier with Gaza. Small drones that launched grenades and RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) charges, but also kamikaze drones never seen before.

Indeed, the word that dominated yesterday's news from the Middle East, once again in flames, was 'surprise'. Despite the tragic death toll and the escalation of what has been defined as a war attack, the main interpretation has focused on the unexpected element of the event. The surprise contributed to generating a shock reaction and led to the analysis of the implications and consequences of what happened.

The legitimate and immediate response ordered by Tel Aviv to strike the bases of the fundamentalist organization has already caused over two hundred casualties, partly due to the fact that the installations are often located in densely populated areas. However, the initial reaction will not change the course of events on the ground. The decisions in the coming hours will be made based on the situation of the hostages in the kibbutzim and the uniformed men who have fallen into enemy hands.

It is known that Iran supports Hamas with economic and military aid. Qatar also finances the survival of the densely populated Gaza Strip, which is home to two million people with limited sources of income and restricted movement. The proclaimed objective is the reclaiming of Islamic holy sites, achieving independence for the Palestinian Territories, and the elimination of Israel.

In this critical moment, it is essential that the global community mobilizes to promote a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the conflict. Dialogue, mediation, and negotiation are powerful tools that can guide towards a less tragic solution to the conflict than what currently seems to be emerging. Islamic states (Arab League), in particular, could play a significant role in promoting dialogue between the parties involved for the release of children, women, and elderly held hostage by Hamas.

May our invocation to Allah, Lord of Peace and Justice, be actively engaged with the aspiration that peace triumphs over hatred and terror.

Abdellah M. Cozzolino