Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been collaborating with Hamas since August to plan a significant breach of Israel’s borders, according to sources. The operation was fine-tuned during several meetings in Beirut, attended by IRGC officers and representatives of four Iran-backed militant groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
However, U.S. officials have stated that they have not seen evidence of Iran’s involvement in the attack.
Despite this, a European official and an adviser to the Syrian government have corroborated the account of Iran’s involvement. Hamas officials maintain that the group planned the attacks independently. The IRGC’s broader strategy is to create a multi-front threat against Israel, involving Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in the north, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank.
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The attack has left at least 700 Israelis dead and has shattered the country’s perceived invincibility. Israel has accused Iran of being behind the attacks, albeit indirectly. Iran has been focusing its resources on coordinating, financing, and arming militias hostile to Israel, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
The attack was intended to exploit Israel’s internal political divisions and disrupt U.S.-brokered talks to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Iran’s foreign proxies have been led by Ismail Qaani, the leader of the IRGC’s international military arm, the Quds Force.
Iran’s support for a coordinated group of Arab militias poses a significant threat to Israel. In previous conflicts, the Soviet Union was able to pressure Israel’s Arab enemies into reaching some form of agreement. However, Iran’s leadership clearly views Israel as a permanent adversary.
Read more at The Wall Street Journal.
