The spokesman for Hamas' military wing warned on Saturday that the killing of any of the terror group's leaders would trigger an "earthquake in the region and an unprecedented response."
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The warning came in response to reports Israel was contemplating assassinating Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar.
Sources told the Lebanese Al Mayadeen network that Hamas had warned a return to the policy of targeted killings of Hamas leaders would see the return of bloody attacks inside Israel and that the terrorist organizations would "burn central cities and land severe rocket strikes on the Dan Region and Tel Aviv, more than the enemy can even imagine."
A senior officer in the Israel Defense Forces responded to the reports saying, "Hamas is in hysterics. Its response in recent hours only serves to remind us all who was begging for a ceasefire in Operation Guardian of the Walls [the IDF operation in Gaza in May 2021] and has since been deterred. Cowardly incitement is no more than riding shotgun on the attack in Elad."
Meanwhile, the IDF recommended Hamas leaders be taken out "at a place and time convenient for the State of Israel."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday evening held a situation assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Shin Bet security agency head Ronen Bar, IDF Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk, the head of IDF Intelligence Mag. Gen. Aharon Haliva, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Mag. Gen. Ghasan Alyan, and the head of the Defense Ministry's Policy and Political-Military Bureau Zohar Palti. The situation assessment focused on advancing efforts toward apprehending the terrorists as well as the continued policy on Judea and Samaria and Gaza and the issue of the continued blockade on the coastal enclave.
It was further reported by Al Mayadeen that talks were underway between Hamas and mediators to halt the "aggression at Al-Aqsa [Mosque]."
The Palestinian Al-Ayyam newspaper reported Saturday that senior Egyptian intelligence officials were in intensive talks toward reaching understandings between Israeli and Palestinian officials to prevent an escalation of the security situation.
According to Al-Ayyam's sources, the Egyptians presented understandings reached with both the Israelis and the Palestinians prior to the Elad Independence Day attack. These understandings included an end to Israeli "incursions" into Al-Aqsa or limiting those "invasions" to the absolute minimum, the opening of Gaza border crossings, and an end to other punitive measures. In return, the Palestinian organizations would commit to refraining from firing rockets at Israel and restoring the situation to the one in place prior to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
According to the report, some issues remain resolved, including the Israeli demand for an end to attacks in Judea and Samaria and Israel. The Palestinian organizations reportedly responded to the demand by saying: "What is transpiring in the West Bank and in Israel is largely the activity of individuals and a response to Israel's crimes and this cannot be opposed as long as the occupation continues its killings, arrests, and settlements."
The source noted the Elad attack could serve to delay such understandings.
As for the Israeli threat to target senior Hamas officials, the report noted the Gaza factions informed the mediators any blow to Hamas leaders and symbols would ignite a war that would spread beyond Gaza.
Sinwar, who was released in a prisoner exchange deal to free IDF captive Gilad Schalit after serving over 20 years in an Israeli prison, has gained quite a few enemies and political rivals both inside and outside of Hamas over the years. Sinwar's strength, cruelty, and militancy have served the senior Hamas official in establishing himself as the lone leader in Gaza.
"No one wants to see their leader assassinated, but there are those who don't exactly care and wouldn't shed a tear," the Gazan source said.
An Islamist with uncompromising principles when it comes to the struggle against Israel but pragmatic when he sees fit, Sinwar is considered an enigmatic and contradictory figure both among Israelis as well as Palestinians.
"It's unclear how Sinwar is different from the Palestinian Authority that is accused of security coordination with Israel," one Gazan said. "Sinwar also speaks to Israel, makes deals with it, and brings 12,000 Gazan workers to work in Israel in coordination with it. If you kill him, who will replace him? Don't be so sure his successor will agree to engage in dialogue with you as Sinwar has done."
Sinwar's assassination could put an end to the era of the "one-man rule" in Gaza, but it would not take down Hamas. Other leaders in the organization would benefit, and Islamic Jihad would take advantage of his killing to grow their influence in the enclave. The PA, which remembers to this day Hamas' takeover of the coastal enclave 15 years ago, would also see his killing as an opportunity.
One way or another, increasing talk of Sinwar's killing could in fact serve to further bolster his standing in the Palestinian public.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
