Hamas militants who attacked Israel on October 7 were preparing to advance deeper into the country into large cities if the first attack was successful.
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This was reported by The Washington Post, citing more than 10 sources – former and current intelligence and security officials from four Western and Middle Eastern countries.
They were planning a second phase, including in major Israeli cities and military bases, a senior Israeli official said on condition of anonymity.
Hamas assault teams during the October 7 attack penetrated deep into Israeli territory to the city of Ofakim, located midway between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (approximately 25 kilometers from the strip border).
Sources say that one of the militant groups was found with intelligence and maps indicating that the terrorists were preparing to advance all the way to the West Bank border. The militants were found to have relevant instructions, as well as supplies of food, ammunition and weapons that could last for several days. In addition, several terrorists captured alive provided additional information about Hamas’s plans.
According to the publication’s interlocutors, Hamas hoped that the actions of the militants who carried out the massacre and hostage-taking would provoke a powerful response from Israel, including a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, and would also provoke violence in the West Bank. large-scale conflict throughout the region.
As The Washington Post notes, Hamas leaders did not expect that the October 7 attack would be so large-scale and that almost all of the assault groups would achieve their goals. The militants killed about 1 thousand 200 people and took about 240 people hostage.
During the counterattack, the Israeli military killed about one and a half thousand militants. However, The Washington Post writes, many Hamas militants involved in the attack were able to return to the Gazai Strip in cars, motorcycles and stolen golf carts.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.