Hamas weaponized our desire for quiet; now Israel must learn it can't afford innocence - editorial

Newly exposed Hamas files reveal that the militant group meticulously studied Israel's desire for quiet and used it as a weapon in planning the October 7 massacre. An exclusive report in The Jerusalem Post, based on documents provided by the Military Intelligence Directorate to the Meir Amit Terrorism and Intelligence Research Institute, details a calculated deception effort that began long before the attack.

A Hamas document from September 2022 outlined the need to build a "strategic deception" plan for a surprise assault. Another, dated September 25, 2023, just before the invasion, described calibrated border pressure, mediated demands, and the tactical use of Jewish festivals. These documents underscore Hamas's planning, patience, and confidence in exploiting Israel's assumptions.

Hamas understood Israel's Gaza management doctrine, which focused on work permits, Qatari money, indirect mediation, and Hamas remaining on the sidelines during Palestinian Islamic Jihad escalations. The group weaponized Israel's perception of quiet, restraint, and economic distress as deterrents. This deepens Israel's self-indictment, as intelligence agencies are expected to uncover concealed intentions and simulated routines.

The article draws parallels to Israel's failure to anticipate the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where it believed Egypt and Syria would not launch a war under what Israel considered irrational conditions. In 2023, Israel similarly believed Hamas would prioritize its rule and economic stability over a catastrophic confrontation. Hamas exploited this perceived arrogance, building a trap around it. The context of Saudi normalization further fueled Hamas's decision to use mass violence to disrupt regional diplomacy, viewing peace initiatives as strategic threats.

The editorial concludes that while negotiations, humanitarian arrangements, and mediators are necessary, Israel must recognize that its enemies may sabotage peace efforts through bloodshed. The lesson for Israel is to remember that enemies can view peace initiatives as strategic threats and may act to disrupt them.