Hamas has decided to renew suicide attacks within Israel’s territory, with the approval of Yahya Sinwar, following deliberations at the highest levels of the movement.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad are attempting to create a “balance of terror” to deter Israel, in light of its successes in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria.
The bomb attack in Tel Aviv on August 19, 2024, involving a large explosive device weighing 8 kg., was carried out by a Hamas terrorist named Jafar Muna from Nablus. Together with the announcement by Hamas’s military wing regarding the renewal of suicide attacks inside Israel, this issue of suicide bombers is now at the forefront of the media and security agenda.
One of the primary reasons the IDF launched a large-scale military operation in northern Samaria, called “Summer Camps,” was to thwart potential suicide attacks within Israel.
On the same day, senior Hamas official Khaled Mashal, in a recorded speech from Istanbul, renewed the call to resume suicide attacks inside Israel, claiming that this is the only way to address the situation through an all-out struggle.
According to Hamas sources, the decision to resume suicide attacks in Israel was made within the movement’s institutions after intense debate.
The Fear of Literal “Blow-Back”
There was considerable concern about the potential repercussions for Palestinians, given the significant damage caused to them following past suicide attacks.
Some within Hamas fear that renewing suicide attacks could severely damage Palestinian public relations globally and that Israel might use this as a pretext to intensify military pressure on Hamas in Judea and Samaria.
The last suicide attack occurred in 2016, carried out by a Hamas terrorist from the Bethlehem area named Abdelhamid Abu Srour in the Gilo neighborhood of southern Jerusalem.
Senior security officials in Israel believe that the decision to renew suicide attacks was made by Zaher Al-Jabarin, the head of Hamas’s military wing in Judea and Samaria, with the approval of Yahya Sinwar, the movement’s new leader.
This move is seen as an attempt by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to create a “balance of terror” and to deter Israel after 11 months of fighting due to the IDF’s significant successes in the conflict against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip and Judea and Samaria.
Hamas is deliberately escalating the military confrontation with Israel, blurring the lines between innocent civilians and soldiers.
The renewal of suicide attacks is their response to what they refer to as the “war of extermination” that Israel has allegedly declared against the Palestinians.
Hamas aims to reignite fear in the hearts of Israelis, demonstrating that the war has reached their doorstep, disrupting their ability to lead everyday lives, travel on buses, visit shopping centers, or dine in restaurants.
Such Hamas bombings are meant to boost Palestinian morale.
The renewal of suicide bombings is also intended to fuel internal debate within Israeli society, embarrass the government, and increase pressure to end the war in the Gaza Strip by conceding to Hamas’s demands regarding the hostage deal.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad believe that while the Shin Bet can prevent some suicide attacks, it cannot thwart them all, presenting a significant security challenge to the Israeli government.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is deeply concerned about the renewal of suicide attacks within Israeli territory, fearing that Israel might use this as an excuse to divide Judea and Samaria into separate parts, further weakening the PA and undermining its sovereignty.
PA officials also worry that this could lead to increased settlers’ demands for the legal annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria, similar to the annexation of Area C.
