Hamas’s Bloody Arithmetic | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the host explores the decision-making process behind Hamas’s highly planned and organized attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of many innocent civilians. Through interviews with Hamas leaders and an analysis of the attack, the episode sheds light on the motivations and strategies behind this violent act.

Main Takeaways

Hamas’s Calculated Attack

• Hamas’s decision to murder hundreds of Israelis and trigger a war that has killed many thousands of its own people was a highly planned and organized attack that had a strategy behind it.
• The attack entailed the mass murder of non-combatants and was a suicide attack on itself.
• Hamas carried out a sophisticated attack on Israeli civilians that was meant to blow up the status quo and draw attention to the Palestinian cause.
• The attack was carried out with the hope of starting a regional war and overthrowing the situation in the region.

Hamas’s Leadership and Justification

• Hamas leaders in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East were interviewed to understand the decision-making behind the attack.
• Hamas officials are like political people from any other political party and can be met with appointments.
• Hamas denies that civilians were intentionally targeted, but there is ample evidence to the contrary, including footage from Israeli survivors, dash cams, surveillance cameras, and even helmet cameras worn by Hamas fighters.
• Hamas justifies the deaths of civilians as a necessary cost of achieving their broader goal.
• Hamas leaders believe that almost any amount of death would be allowable to accomplish their objective of upending the status quo.

The Rise of Yahya Sinwar

• Yahya Sanwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, is from the first generation of Hamas, an Islamist movement that aimed to destroy Israel with military means and replace it with a Palestinian state.
• During his 22 years in Israeli prison, Sanwar learned Hebrew and studied Israeli society to better understand his enemy.
• Sinwar studied Israel from inside prison to better understand its weaknesses.
• Sinwar aims to make Hamas a stronger, more capable fighting force.

Hamas’s Goals and Impact

• Hamas transformed from a military action group to a governing authority in Gaza.
• Hamas and Israel have settled into a violent coexistence, but also rely on each other for survival.
• Hamas fighters received training in Iran and Lebanon, adding sophistication to their attacks.
• Hamas planned a much bigger and more dramatic attack on Israel, taking the fight outside of Gaza by air, land, and sea.
• The attack shattered the status quo and put the Palestinian cause back on the table, sparking protests and diplomatic efforts.

Summary

Hamas’s Calculated Attack

Hamas’s decision to carry out a highly planned and organized attack on Israel was aimed at drawing attention to the Palestinian cause and upending the status quo. The attack, which involved the mass murder of non-combatants, was meant to provoke a regional war and overthrow the situation in the region. However, Hamas denies intentionally targeting civilians, despite ample evidence suggesting otherwise.

Hamas’s Leadership and Justification

Through interviews with Hamas leaders, it becomes clear that they justify the deaths of civilians as a necessary cost of achieving their broader goal. They believe that almost any amount of death is allowable to accomplish their objective of upending the status quo. However, their claims of not intentionally targeting civilians are contradicted by various forms of evidence, including footage from Israeli survivors and surveillance cameras.

The Rise of Yahya Sinwar

Yahya Sanwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza, has a deep understanding of Israeli society and its weaknesses. During his time in Israeli prison, he learned Hebrew and studied Israeli society, which has helped him strategize and make Hamas a stronger fighting force. Sinwar aims to transform Hamas into a more capable and sophisticated organization.

Hamas’s Goals and Impact

Hamas has transformed from a military action group to a governing authority in Gaza. While they engage in violent conflicts with Israel, they also rely on each other for survival. Hamas fighters have received training in Iran and Lebanon, adding to the sophistication of their attacks. The recent attack on Israel was intended to be much bigger and more dramatic, taking the fight outside of Gaza. It shattered the status quo and reignited discussions and efforts surrounding the Palestinian cause.

Conclusion

The episode sheds light on the calculated decision-making process behind Hamas’s attack on Israel and the justifications provided by its leaders. It also explores the rise of Yahya Sinwar and his efforts to make Hamas a stronger fighting force. While the attack succeeded in drawing attention to the Palestinian cause, it did not lead to the regional war that Hamas had hoped for. The future remains uncertain, with no clear plan for Gaza’s governance or the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.