Hamas Planned 9/11 Style Strike Before Attack On Israel In October 2023: Report

Last year on October 7, Hamas had launched devastating and unprecedented assault on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities and hundreds taken hostage, thereby igniting a renewed wave of violence in the region. The international community was left shocked by the scale and brutality of the attack, but recently uncovered documents suggest that this operation was years in the making and had the potential to be executed even earlier, with ambitions reminiscent of the 9/11 attacks on the United States.Reports from major international media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, indicate that Hamas initially planned the October 7 assault for the previous year but delayed it to better coordinate with Iran and Hezbollah. This strategic pause aimed to bolster their military capabilities and secure additional funding. Internal communications within Hamas reveal meticulous planning, with ambitions that extended well beyond the violent events of October 7.Designated as "the big project," discussions regarding the large-scale operation began as early as January 2022. Minutes from ten high-level meetings involving Hamas's military and political leaders detail preparations aimed at crippling Israel's military infrastructure and targeting its civilian population. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, along with top commanders Muhammed Deif and Marwan Issa, participated in these discussions, which continued until August 2023. An early meeting in 2022 emphasized avoiding premature escalation with Israel while concentrating on this ambitious operation.The group's aspirations were not confined to Gaza. They sought financial and military support from regional powers, particularly Iran. Sinwar had communicated with Iranian officials as early as June 2021, requesting funds for what would become the October 7 attack. Initial funding of $10 million was secured, followed by a request for a staggering $500 million over two years.Although the attack was originally scheduled for late 2022, it was postponed for over a year, primarily to garner more substantial assistance from Iran and Hezbollah. Documents shared with The Washington Post by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reveal that in August 2023, Hamas's deputy, Khalil al-Hayya, visited Lebanon to meet with a senior commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammed Said Izadi. While Izadi indicated tentative support from Iran and Hezbollah, he noted that they required additional time to "prepare the environment" for a broader regional escalation.Despite hopes for direct involvement from these regional actors, Hamas ultimately decided to proceed with the attack independently. Various geopolitical factors influenced this timing. By mid-2023, Israel was on the verge of deploying a new advanced air defence system, which Hamas feared could undermine their assault if further delayed. Additionally, improving relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia likely pressured Hamas to act before these diplomatic ties could solidify. The internal political turmoil in Israel, marked by widespread protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial reforms, was seen as a vulnerability, making Israel more susceptible to a major attack.Among the chilling revelations from these documents is Hamas's original plan to execute a 9/11-style bombing targeting the Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv. This operation aimed to cause mass casualties and significant structural damage akin to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Ultimately, however, Hamas determined that they lacked the capability for such an audacious strike, leading to the abandonment of this and other ambitious proposals.On the morning of October 7, Hamas militants launched a multi-pronged attack, striking Israeli military bases and civilian areas while taking hundreds of hostages. Although the attack commenced without immediate support from regional allies, the conflict quickly escalated. Within 24 hours, Hezbollah began firing missiles at Israeli positions along the northern border, creating a second front in the escalating conflict.The extent of Iranian and Hezbollah involvement in the October 7 assault remains contentious. Iranian leaders have denied any direct role, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserting that Tehran was not involved in planning or executing the attack. US and Israeli intelligence agencies have also indicated that key Iranian officials may have been caught off guard by the attack's timing. Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has categorically rejected claims linking Tehran to Hamas's actions, asserting that the operation was solely planned and executed by Hamas's military wing in Gaza.