In response to an attack by Hamas, Israel has converted the terrorist strongholds Gaza and Rafah into crematoriums. At least 44 thousand people were killed. Before this horrific massacre, Hamas had launched a devastating attack on Israel on October 7 last year. This attack was so horrific that 5000 missiles were fired in just 20 minutes. Due to this number of missiles, even Israel's air defense system Iron Dome failed to stop it. As a result, more than 1200 people were killed in this attack and after this Hamas crossed the border and took hundreds as hostages. 100 out of 250 hostages are still in his possession. Whom Israel is struggling to free. Reports have emerged that Hamas had planned to carry out a 9/11-like attack on Israel before October 7, but had to change its plans at the last moment.
The air attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023 was shocking not only for Israel but also for the international community. Recently revealed documents regarding this attack show that it was being planned for many years and it was planned to be carried out in 2022 itself. Hamas was planning to carry out a 9/11 attack on America.
Many international media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal have issued sensational reports regarding this. According to this, Hamas could have attacked Israel a year earlier, but this was not possible due to the delay in getting help from Hezbollah and Iran. Hamas wanted to strengthen its military capabilities with the help of these two additional funds. Documents related to talks between Hamas leaders and Iranian officials show that Hamas was planning far more than a horrific massacre like October 7.
Hamas's big project
It turns out that Hamas was discussing a large-scale operation as early as January 2022. In which the idea was to enter Israel and blow up its famous Azrieli Tower like 9/11. On September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda hijacked two planes in America and crashed them into the World Trade Center. This attack shook America. In response, within a few months, America killed Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden at his hideout in Pakistan. For two years, the military and political leadership of Hamas wanted to deal a major blow to Israel. For this, he also held 10 high level meetings with Iran and Hezbollah.
Along with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, top commanders Muhammad Deif, Marwan Issa and his brother Muhammad Sinwar also participated in the planning of this dangerous attack against Israel. The meetings between terrorists regarding this started in January 2022 and continued till August 2023. During an early meeting in 2022, the militants decided to avoid prematurely escalating tensions with Israel.
Why did the plan have to be postponed?
Hamas also sought financial and military assistance from Iran for attacks on Israel. In early June 2021, Sinwar wrote a letter to Iranian officials asking for financial assistance for the October 7 attack. Sinwar reportedly wrote, “We promise you that your money will not go to waste. We will definitely accomplish this sacred goal.” Sinwar initially asked for $10 million. Hamas later demanded $500 million over two years.
The attack was initially scheduled to take place in late 2022, but Hamas postponed it for more than a year. According to the documents, the delay was largely caused by ongoing efforts to secure more help from Iran and Hezbollah.
