Study Reveals Hamas's Strategy Behind October 7 Attack on Israel
Hamas planned to spark wider war against Israel with October 7 massacre - study
Image: Jpost
A study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that Hamas's October 7 massacre was part of a strategic plan to destabilize Israel and instigate a wider regional conflict. The research, based on seized Hamas documents, highlights a shift in Hamas's tactics from defense to offense, aiming to exploit internal Israeli discord and provoke responses from allies like Hezbollah and Iran.
- 01The study, authored by Dr. Daniel Sobelman, is titled 'The Strategic Origins of Hamas's October 7 Attack'.
- 02Hamas's strategy shifted to offensive operations, as articulated by Khalil al-Hayyah in 2021.
- 03Hamas believed that the October 7 attack, in conjunction with actions from Hezbollah, could lead to the collapse of Israel's military and domestic stability.
- 04Yahya al-Sinwar claimed that internal disputes in Israel were weakening the nation significantly.
- 05Hamas miscalculated the responses of Iran and Hezbollah, who were surprised by the scale and timing of the attack.
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A recent study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem asserts that Hamas's October 7 massacre was a calculated effort to destabilize Israel and provoke a broader regional conflict. The research, conducted by Dr. Daniel Sobelman, draws on top-secret documents seized from Hamas by Israeli forces during the ongoing war. It reveals a strategic shift within Hamas, moving from a defensive posture to an offensive one, as stated by Khalil al-Hayyah, a member of Hamas's Political Bureau, who declared in 2021, 'We are not a defensive resistance but an offensive one.' The study indicates that Hamas intended to exploit internal Israeli discord, with Yahya al-Sinwar suggesting that protests and disputes were eroding the foundations of Israeli society, making it 'weaker than a spider's web.' Furthermore, the study critiques Israel's failure to recognize Hamas as a sophisticated military organization rather than merely a terrorist group. However, it also highlights Hamas's miscalculation regarding the reactions of Iran and Hezbollah, who were reportedly taken aback by the attack's timing and scale, undermining Hamas's expectations of a coordinated regional response.
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The findings of this study may influence perceptions of Hamas's military capabilities and strategies, potentially affecting future regional dynamics and Israeli security policies.
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