Israel Declares Global War on Hamas

Latest Developments​

Israel said on October 25 that its war against Hamas would not be limited to Gaza and would entail the destruction of the Palestinian terrorist group worldwide. In a televised speech, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought both to comfort Israelis grieving for the 1,400 victims of the October 7 massacre in southern Israel and to reassure them that the aerial counter-offensive underway in the Gaza Strip would be escalated to include ground incursions to achieve the military and political annihilation of Hamas.

“All Hamas members are marked for death — above ground, underground, within Gaza, outside Gaza,” he said. Netanyahu quoted from Isaiah 60:18, which promises the Jewish people that “hamas” — the word for “violence” in biblical Hebrew — “will no longer be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.”

Expert Analysis​

“It was clear from the outset that if Israel is serious about dealing with Hamas, uprooting the group in Gaza would not suffice. Its foreign command, funding, and logistical network in places like Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, and Qatar also demands attention. The Hamas terrorists arrayed abroad would already have known that they can no longer sleep easy. Netanyahu has now given their hosts — especially NATO-power Turkey and Qatar, which is designated a major non-NATO ally of the United States — notice to turn them away.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Israel is taking its time on launching a ground invasion of Gaza, knowing that this favors its forces in terms of training and preparation while disadvantaging Hamas, which must hunker down under withering fire and husband dwindling resources. Now, the Israelis have added psychological pressure, designed to make Hamas leaders wonder to what extent their military secrets are secure and whether Palestinians sick of their harsh rule will turn against them.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Intensified Airstrikes on Gaza

On October 25, the IDF stepped up efforts to destroy Hamas’ tunnel and bunker network from the air, unleashing an intensive bombardment of Gaza City. Separately, the Israeli government published contact information and promises of a cash reward and personal safety to Gazans who provide intelligence on Hamas. 

Unmasking Hamas’ Spokesman

Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s spokesperson to Arabic media, published a video on X showing the face of Hamas’ longtime spokesman, Abu Obeida, who usually masks himself with a keffiyeh. The IDF first revealed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 that Abu Obeida’s real name is Hudhaifa Kahlout.

“He and other Hamas-ISIS leaders like to hide inside tunnels and behind women and children, as well as behind masks and shadows,” Adraee said. “It is time to drop the cover.”

Related Analysis

“U.S. Deploys Additional Air and Missile Defenses to Middle East,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad meet in Beirut,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Mounts New Israel Infiltration by Sea,” FDD Flash Brief