The Washington Post: Hamas planned to reach Judea and Samaria and produce a more "dramatic achievement"

November 12, 2023   

The Washington Post published new details Sunday evening about Hamas' murderous surprise attack on Black Saturday. According to the report, which relies on intelligence sources in Israel and the West, the terrorist organization planned to reach as far as Judea and Samaria to create a "significant regional achievement.". Want to contribute to the people of Israel? This is how you can join the security track in civil service. It was also reported that the key details of the plan were hidden from the political leadership of Hamas, Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and Hezbollah. However, Hamas leaders expected that the terrorist attack would yield a higher number of hostages. According to the article, the Hamas terrorist organization planned to continue the October 7 attack - and the terrorists were instructed to reach communities in Judea and Samaria and infiltrate them, similar to what happened in the Gaza Envelope, with the help of local Palestinians. According to the report, the goal of the move was not only to murder and kidnap, but to cause a firestorm in Judea and Samaria in order to drag the residents of the Palestinian Authority into the war against Israel. Testimony collected from more than a dozen current and former intelligence and security sources revealed that Hamas' plan was significantly greater than advancing in the Gaza Envelope. Some of the terrorists received instructions, supplies, and even ammunition, to allow them to reach far into Israel, with their sights set on the Judea and Samaria region. At least three US security officials claimed that Hamas had increased its activity among Palestinians in Judea and Samaria in the weeks leading up to October 7 - but they were not informed of the diabolical plan that was being implemented in the Gaza Envelope. A former senior US official said: "If Hamas had succeeded in breaking through to communities in Judea and Samaria, it would have been a double blow - both to Israel and to the Palestinian Authority, which is supposed to control the area." His report cited several signs indicating that Hamas intended to reach communities in Judea and Samaria as well - including an increase in attempts to incite violence in the PA's territories and attempts to fire rockets into northern Samaria. An Israeli official added: "Hamas planned a second phase - including in major cities in Israel, Judea and Samaria, and at military bases." Jordanian officials claimed that shipments of rifles and explosives smuggled into the country and destined for Hamas elements throughout the Palestinian Authority were intercepted, in order to prepare for 'Day of Judgment'. "Order." "There were many networks," the sources claimed, "that were involved in arms smuggling. Israeli intelligence operated well and most of the attempts were thwarted and those involved were arrested." Defense Minister Yoav Galant told the newspaper: "Hamas went on the offensive with detailed plans, including which Hamas commanders should rape which soldiers in different places.".