Senior Hamas Official: Only Few Commanders Knew About Gaza Incursion into Israel

A senior Hamas official discloses that only a small number of top commanders inside Gaza were aware of the wide-ranging incursion launched into Israel. However, he warns that if Gaza faces annihilation, allies such as Iran and Hezbollah will join the battle. The surprise attack caught Israels military off guard, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.

On October 10, a senior Hamas official revealed that only a select few of the organization's top commanders were privy to an extensive incursion into Israel. Ali Barakeh, a member of the exiled leadership of Hamas, shared these insights during an interview with The Associated Press in his Beirut office amidst ongoing Israeli bombardments on Gaza and threats of imposing a total blockade on the territory ruled by Hamas. This unexpected attack has raised questions about the preparedness and intelligence capabilities of Israel's military.

The Surprise Attack

The surprise attack took place on Saturday when hundreds of armed Hamas fighters breached through holes in the border fence and launched assaults across several towns. The onslaught resulted in widespread carnage causing numerous casualties among soldiers and civilians alike while taking many others captive. Israel’s acclaimed military and intelligence services were caught completely off guard by this unexpected offensive.

Hamas' Secretive Planning

Barakeh claimed that the planning for this incursion was limited to approximately half a dozen top Hamas commanders inside Gaza. The timing was kept secret even from their closest allies who were not informed ahead of time about it. He refuted reports suggesting that Iranian security officials had aided in planning or given approval for the attack at a meeting held last week in Beirut.

An Impending Threat?

"Only a handful of Hamas commanders knew about zero hour," said Barakeh, indicating that neither members from central command nor those from political bureau within Hamas had any prior knowledge regarding this operation. He further warned that if Gaza is subjected to what he termed as "a war of annihilation", then allies like Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah are expected to join forces with them against Israel.

In conclusion, these revelations have shed light on the secretive nature within which operations are planned by groups such as Hamas where information is compartmentalized and limited to a few key individuals. This strategy not only maintains operational security but also enhances the surprise element of their attacks. The recent incursion into Israel is a testament to this tactic. However, it has also raised serious concerns about the readiness of Israeli military and intelligence services in countering such unexpected threats.

Furthermore, Barakeh's warning about potential involvement from Iran and Hezbollah if Gaza faces severe retaliation from Israel underscores an escalating situation that could potentially draw regional players into direct conflict with Israel. It emphasizes the need for urgent international intervention to prevent any further escalation which may have far-reaching implications for peace and stability in the region.