How Hamas Deceived Israel and Launched a Devastating Attack
Hamas’ Careful Deception Tactics
A shocking assault by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas caught Israel off guard, leading to a devastating attack. Hamas meticulously planned and executed the operation, employing deception tactics that successfully misled Israel’s most powerful army. Through a two-year campaign of subterfuge, Hamas concealed its military plans while convincing Israel that it had no intention of initiating a fight.
Hamas used ingenious intelligence tactics to mislead Israel, creating the impression that it was not prepared for a confrontation. While Israel believed it was containing a war-weary Hamas with economic incentives for Gazan workers, the group’s fighters were secretly undergoing training and drills. Hamas cleverly operated in plain sight, ensuring its true intentions remained hidden.
Israel’s Surprise and Hamas’ Determination
The assault on Saturday marked the worst breach in Israel’s defenses since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Hamas fighters stormed Israeli towns, killing 700 Israelis and abducting dozens. Israel, caught off guard by the attack, launched a retaliatory offensive that resulted in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians in Gaza.
Major Nir Dinar, spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces, admitted, “This is our 9/11. They got us.” The audacity and speed with which Hamas carried out the attack, utilizing various means such as hang gliders, motorbikes, and rockets, left Israel stunned.
Osama Hamdan, the Hamas representative in Lebanon, emphasized that the attack demonstrated the Palestinians’ determination to achieve their goals, regardless of Israel’s military power.
Hamas’ Elaborate Preparations
Hamas meticulously prepared for the assault, constructing a mock Israeli settlement in Gaza to practice military landings and storming operations. They even filmed these maneuvers. Although Israeli authorities may have observed these activities, they were convinced that Hamas had no intention of escalating the situation.
Throughout this period, Hamas also sought to convince Israel that its primary concern was the welfare of Gazan workers. By promoting economic stability and offering incentives, such as work permits in Israel and the West Bank, Hamas created an image of a group more interested in peaceful coexistence than armed conflict.
However, Israel’s security services were deceived by Hamas. “They caused us to think they wanted money,” admitted an Israeli security source. Unbeknownst to Israel, Hamas was intensively training its fighters, carefully preparing for the attack.
The Tactical Execution
The operation was divided into four parts. First, Hamas launched a barrage of rockets from Gaza, simultaneously sending fighters on hang gliders and motorized paragliders across the border. These fighters secured the terrain, allowing an elite commando unit to breach Israel’s fortified barriers.
Explosives were used to breach the walls, followed by the arrival of fighters on motorbikes and in four-wheel drives. Witness accounts described bulldozers widening the gaps for further infiltration.
Simultaneously, a commando unit attacked the Israeli army’s southern Gaza headquarters, jamming communications and disrupting the ability to call for reinforcements.
Hostage-taking was another part of the operation, with many hostages, including party-goers near the Gaza border, taken captive and moved to Gaza.
Israel’s Intelligence and Military Failure
The success of Hamas’ attack revealed a significant failure in Israel’s intelligence and military apparatus. Israel’s focus on the West Bank and its pursuit of a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia diverted attention from Hamas in Gaza.
Hamas exploited this vulnerability, as Israel’s attention was divided. The restraint displayed by Hamas in refraining from military operations during this period further reinforced the belief that they were not seeking a new war.
Retired General Yaakov Amidror, former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged the failure and vowed that Israel would not repeat the same mistake. Israel is determined to dismantle Hamas gradually.
Conclusion
Hamas’ careful deception tactics allowed them to catch Israel off guard and launch a devastating attack. The two-year-long subterfuge, combined with Israel’s diverted focus, created the perfect opportunity for Hamas to carry out their plan. The aftermath of this attack will undoubtedly reshape the dynamics in the region, as Israel reevaluates its security strategies and Hamas faces the consequences of its actions.
