Hamas's Surprise Attack on Israel

Hamas's recent terror attack on Israel caught the Israeli government by surprise, delaying their response to protect civilians. However, this attack was not unforeseen, as previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have occurred. The Israeli government's focus on other domestic and international matters, such as judicial overhaul and the Saudi deal, may have led them to ignore warnings and take Gaza for granted. Additionally, there seem to be deeper political strategies at play, with claims that Netanyahu supported Hamas to undermine the Palestinian Authority and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The larger backdrop of the Middle East, shaped by the actions of the US, the Iraq War, and the subsequent power vacuum, has complicated the situation. The region has become a battleground for multiple players seeking to advance their own interests, including Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Israel. This conflict is representative of the global contest between the forces of order and disorder, with Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas seeking to erode the international system. The challenge for Israel is to respond to Hamas without jeopardizing potential normalization with Saudi Arabia, which could be a significant setback for Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.