Seized Hamas documents reveal fear of Israeli-Saudi normalization

Documents recently seized in Gaza indicate that Hamas leaders perceived the prospect of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel as a significant strategic threat to the Palestinian issue. These internal communications, analyzed by the Amit Institute for Terrorism and Intelligence Research and reported by KAN News, detail the group's concerns and strategies prior to the October 7th events.

According to the findings, Hamas leadership decided in 2022 to create a specialized unit tasked with formulating policy and operational plans to counter regional normalization efforts. The group's strategy included calls to "increase escalation on the ground, in the West Bank and Jerusalem," specifically to disrupt the normalization process with Saudi Arabia.

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Saudi Arabia has a special status at the Arab and Islamic level and great influence, and this is a regrettable, troubling, condemnable, and puzzling step.

Internal documents also reveal sharp criticism from Hamas leaders, including the late Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, directed at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sinwar reportedly viewed bin Salman's growing ambitions as a threat to the Palestinian cause and the region. These revelations come amid previous reports that Hamas leaders feared normalization could pave the way for other Arab and Muslim nations to follow suit, potentially isolating the Palestinian issue further.

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increase escalation on the ground, in the West Bank and Jerusalem, in order to disrupt the Saudi kingdom’s normalization process.