Leaked Hamas letter to Nasrallah outlined October 7 attack goals

Israeli media outlets have reported the leak of a confidential letter allegedly sent by Hamas military leaders to the late Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in the early hours of October 7, 2023, as Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel.

According to reports published by Maariv, the document was signed by senior Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Marwan Issa.

The letter outlined the objectives of the operation, including attacks on Israeli military facilities, airports, and populated areas, as well as plans to capture Israeli soldiers. It also reportedly emphasised coordination with the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” including Hezbollah’s involvement through rocket fire aimed at stretching Israel’s defence capabilities and shifting the regional balance of power.

The document reportedly further discussed political and media strategy, recommending that the operation be framed internationally as an act of “self-defence” under international law in an effort to limit Western support for Israel.

The authors reportedly also assessed Israel as internally vulnerable because of deep political divisions at the time and described the confrontation as part of a broader regional effort to unify armed groups aligned against Israel.

By Sabina Mammadli