Israel Unveils Strategic Plan to Neutralize Hamas Leadership Post-War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly planning to authorize a mission to eliminate Israel’s enemies in various countries once the Gaza campaign is over. This operation, similar to “Operation Wrath of God” led by his predecessor Golda Meir, aims to neutralize high-value targets in Turkey, Lebanon, and Qatar, where a Hamas office is located. The Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, is said to be drafting plans for this mission.

Hamas established its political office in Qatar in 2012 at the request of the United States government to facilitate communication. However, former Mossad Director Efraim Halevy has expressed concerns about the consequences of such operations, warning that they could further destabilize the region without necessarily eliminating threats to Israel.

Some of the prominent figures on Mossad’s kill list include Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar, and Khaled Mashal. Haniyeh divides his time between Qatar and Turkey, while Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military wing, has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli authorities. Sinwar, a former commander of the military wing, spent 23 years in Israeli prisons before being released in a prisoner exchange. Mashal, a founding member of Hamas Politburo, survived an assassination attempt in Jordan in 1997.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has expressed confidence that these Hamas leaders are “living on borrowed time.” While some Israeli officials wanted the killing campaign to start soon after the October 7 attacks, a retired Israeli general named Amos Yadlin believes that targeted killings are necessary for justice.

It remains to be seen how this plan will unfold and what impact it will have on the region.