Hamas Delays Attack to Garner Support from Iran and Hezbollah

Hamas strategically postponed its planned assault on Israel from fall 2022 to October 7, 2023, aiming to rally support from Iran and Hezbollah, according to a report from The New York Times. The information is based on minutes from secret meetings among Hamas leaders that were later uncovered by Israeli forces in Gaza.

To encourage Hezbollah's involvement, Hamas cited the "internal situation" in Israel, likely referring to political unrest stemming from proposed judicial reforms. This context was seen as a compelling factor for Hamas's shift towards a more aggressive military strategy.

Despite anticipating support from Iran and Hezbollah, Hamas ultimately decided to proceed with the attack independently, fearing Israel might enhance its air defense capabilities before they could act. The group also sought to undermine U.S. efforts promoting normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

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In the two years leading up to the attack, Hamas consciously avoided significant confrontations with Israel, portraying an image of a group that was committed to maintaining peace. However, discussions among Hamas leadership, including former leader Ismail Haniyeh, revealed their preparations for what they termed "the big project"—the code name for their planned offensive.

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