Iran has denied reports of a "secret document” allegedly written by Hamas and later obtained by Israel linking the Islamic Republic to Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last October.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and took approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. About 100 hostages are still being held, of whom fewer than 70 are believed to be alive. Israel has since launched a military operation in Gaza that has killed around 42,000 Palestinians so far, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which is based in the Hamas-led area. Local health authorities do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say many of the dead were women and children.
Shortly after the one-year anniversary of the Palestinian militant attack, the New York Times published an article on Saturday titled “Secret documents show Hamas tried to persuade Iran to join October 7 attack.” It revealed what was said to have been in the Palestinian minutes. Hamas held several secret meetings until October 7, which were later obtained by the Israeli military. The document reportedly shows Hamas’ efforts to persuade allies Iran and Hezbollah to join the attack.
According to the US State Department’s 2021 Terrorism Report, Iran provides funding, weapons, and training to Hamas and Hezbollah.
In response, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations told Newsweek on Saturday that “Hamas officials in Doha themselves had no prior knowledge of the operation, and that all planning and decisions were made.” However, the creation and supervision was carried out solely by Hamas’s military wing based in Gaza, and claims linking it in part or in whole to Iran or Hezbollah are not credible. It is based on a fabricated document.”
Later the same day, the Washington Post published another article detailing purported Hamas documents obtained by the Israeli military that appeared to show plans for a larger attack on Israel, as well as Hamas’ increased support for Iranian officials. The complaint was also cited. The report said it was unclear whether Iranian leaders were ultimately aware of the plot, and that Israel and others expressed anger that Tehran had not been informed about the attack, which began on October 7. He quoted a Middle East official.
In a subsequent statement, the Iranian mission told Barron’s: “We view the Israeli regime as an insidious criminal and anti-human entity, and we do not believe in their illusions. They spread falsehoods and have already published forged documents. There is a long history of fabrication.” , and conducting deceptive psychological operations. ”
Newsweek magazine reached out to the Israeli military for comment via email on Saturday, the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur.
Iranians hold Iranian and Palestinian flags during a demonstration condemning the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, on July 31. Iran denied the New York Times report on Saturday. On July 31st, a demonstration was held in Tehran, Iran, to condemn the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Iran denied a New York Times report on Saturday about “secret documents” linking the country to Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last October. Hossein Beris/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
According to meeting minutes cited by the Times, Hamas sent a senior official to Lebanon in July 2023 to meet with senior Iranian commanders and discuss plans to attack sensitive sites at the start of a planned attack. Requested assistance. The commander told Hamas that Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah supported the attack in principle, but that additional time was needed to prepare.
The purported minutes also planned a meeting between Hamas and former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whom Israel killed in an attack last month, to further discuss the attack. The minutes do not reveal whether the meeting actually took place.
According to these documents, Hamas felt it had general support from its allies, but believed it might need to press ahead with an attack without the full involvement of its allies.
The document, reported by the Washington Post, includes a document titled “Strategy for Building an Appropriate Plan for the Liberation of Palestine,” which includes plans to attack Israel from multiple fronts. It also details Hamas’ plans to target skyscrapers, railways, shopping malls, and theaters, among others. . The document discussed the feasibility of converting fishing boats into attack boats loaded with explosives, deploying assault wagons, and other plans.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East are rising after Hezbollah’s electronic operation, raising fears of an all-out war between Israel, Iran, and the Iranian proxy network known as the Axis of Resistance, which includes Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthis. are. Last month, the equipment exploded in a coordinated attack that Israel claimed was behind it. Israel has not taken responsibility for the attack, which killed dozens and injured thousands more.
On October 1, Iran fired a barrage of nearly 200 missiles at Israel, and U.S. and Israeli officials said most of them were intercepted. Iran said the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran in July, the killing of Nasrallah along with senior Iranian military officials in Beirut last month, and other Israeli-linked operations in the region. said.
The United States on Friday announced new sanctions against Iran’s “ghost fleet” of ships and companies linked to Iran’s energy sector following the Oct. 1 missile attack.
Updated October 13, 2024, 12:34 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include additional reporting of the alleged Hamas documents and further comment from Iranian officials.