The attacks by Hamas on Israel Saturday captured world attention.The terror group used bulldozers, paragliders, boats, motorcycles and civilian vehicles to penetrate Israel’s defenses and move miles into the country’s interior. The immediate result, according to Israeli sources, is as many as 900 civilian and military casualties.
A wider concern by Israel is the prospect that the unprecedented attack signals that Iran is prepared to engage in a regional war.
"This is not just a battle between Israel and Hamas, it is a war with Iran,” according to Israel’s former Brigadier General Amir Avivi in an exclusive interview with Globe Banner.
"Everything that Israel has done in the last 20 years was not enough—Israel must now destroy the Hamas leadership and all of its capabilities,” he said.
In a televised announcement Saturday, President Biden was quick to commit U.S. support for Israel. He also said the United States "warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation.” But the Administration has been careful to not make claims against possible complicity in the attacks by Iran.
Israel has been less concerned. According to General Avivi, Iran is behind the attacks, in part to disrupt efforts by Israel and the U.S. to foster peace in the region.
Avivi told Globe Banner, "Iran has committed Hamas to a suicide mission to prevent the US-Israel-Sunni alliance and peace in the Middle East."
Based on statements by Israeli leaders, the immediate mission for Israel will be to eliminate Hamas, and in ways that the world should prepare to accept.
According to General Avivi, the “unprecedented terror attack must generate an unprecedented Israeli response.”
This may include more aggressive efforts by Israel that could result in a larger impact on civilians under the control of Hamas. "Every single building used by Iran and Hamas for war is a civilian building,” Avivi said.
He also said that "Iran and Hamas are intentionally exposing their own civilians to become martyrs against every single counter-strike by Israel.”
The initial plan, according to Avivi, is clear. "I expect ground maneuvers,” he said. He said the first task must be "to destroy Hamas capabilities and bring down Hamas—the mission must be to destroy the entirety of Hamas leadership and all of its capabilities.”
According to Avivi, Iran smuggles weapons and other support to Hamas through the Egyptian border. It also supports industries inside Gaza that have the single purpose of confronting Israel.
According to Avivi, Israel is further down the path than its Western allies in naming Iran as the source and instigator of the violence.
"This is a war where Israel must defend itself against Iran,” he said.