The Daily cover image

The Daily

Hamas’s Bloody Arithmetic

Nov 14, 2023
Ben Hubbard, the Istanbul bureau chief for The New York Times and an expert on Middle Eastern politics, dives deep into Hamas's recent deadly attack on Israel. He breaks down the strategic calculations that led to this controversial decision, shedding light on the group's leadership under Yahya Sinwar. Hubbard discusses the shifting dynamics of the Palestinian cause and the potential self-destructive consequences for Hamas. The analysis offers a compelling perspective on the unfolding crisis and the intricate web of motivations driving the conflict.
34:30

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Hamas's decision to carry out the terror attack on Israel was driven by the need to bring global attention back to the Palestinian cause.
  • The attack orchestrated by Hamas was a highly sophisticated and coordinated effort, surpassing their expectations and leaving both sides uncertain about the future.

Deep dives

Hamas's Motivation and Strategy behind the Attack

Hamas's decision to carry out the horrifying terror attack on Israel, resulting in the mass murder of non-combatants, was driven by a variety of factors. The leadership felt that the Palestinian cause was fading away and that the conflict was reaching a point of no return. They believed that they needed to do something big and dramatic to bring global attention back to the Palestinian cause. The attack was carefully planned and aimed to blow up the existing status quo in the region. The ultimate goal was to create a regional war and hope that new opportunities and options would emerge.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner