But Hamas leaders expected that their assault would yield more than just hostages, current and former intelligence officials said. Hamas officials took pains to conceal the preparations, even as senior leaders dropped occasional hints about their intentions. Share this article ShareThe relative calm on Israel’s southwestern border was welcome, as Israeli officials were preoccupied with problems elsewhere. In Gaza, less than 50 miles from the West Bank, the arming and training of Hamas assault teams was largely ignored or dismissed. A perceived symbolic winWhether the attackers held realistic expectations of progressing as far as the West Bank is unclear.

Source: Washington Post November 12, 2023 22:33 UTC