The Israeli army has uncovered Hamas plans to repeat the October 7 massacre - this time in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. On the third anniversary of the Hamas attack, Israeli military circles explained the plans to journalists, including reporters from “Bild,” which, like WELT, is part of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.
The plans were found by Israeli soldiers in Gaza after October 7th. According to the Israeli security forces, the terrorists describe step by step how they wanted to conquer and occupy Israeli towns in the West Bank. It was the same pattern as in southern Israel: invade by force, overrun places, take control. It is clear to the army: Hamas wanted to repeat October 7th in the West Bank. This time in the middle of the country, right outside the gates of Israeli cities and villages.
The discovered terrorist plans have fundamentally changed the thinking and tactics of the Israeli army. In the past, she usually only intervened when it was clear that someone was planning an attack. That's long overdue. Israeli military circles say: They can no longer wait until they see a clear intention on the part of the terrorists. The new rule is: If a group has the skills and resources to attack, the army strikes - before anything happens. The Israeli army does not want to repeat the mistake of underestimating the risk of an attack in the run-up to October 7th. The question of whether secret services warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before October 7th has now become a central issue in Israel's election campaign.
“October 7th changed everything, on both sides”
Before October 7, 2023, it was mostly lone perpetrators who attacked with knives, firearms, stones or Molotov cocktails. The army responded according to a set pattern: arrest the perpetrators, check on the family and, if an Israeli was killed, demolish the family home. Then came the massacre, the worst terrorist attack in Israel's history. “October 7th changed everything, on both sides,” say high-ranking Israeli military circles.
Experts say Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups have realized they are capable of much more. Instead of individual perpetrators, they relied on organized terrorist groups. They obtained money, smuggled weapons and specifically looked for weak points in Israel's security network. According to military circles, the largest attack area is the border with Jordan. Because of the peace treaty, it was considered quiet for years. Today it is the longest and most active smuggling route: Iranian-controlled militias use it to bring large quantities of weapons into the West Bank.
According to insiders, Hamas and Iran set up so-called Katibas in the north of the West Bank, in Jenin, Tulkarem and Nablus. These are terror battalions that are named after their locations, such as the Katiba of Jenin. The principle: Whoever brings the right ideology gets money and weapons.
In December 2024, the Palestinian Authority attempted to regain control of Jenin. According to Israeli military circles, it failed: five of its security forces died, while only one terrorist died on the other side. In January 2025, the Israeli army moved in itself. With Operation Iron Wall, it took over the Autonomous Authority's checkpoints and remained there permanently. The motto is: “Aggressiveness with precision”.
“This is an enemy that wants war, not peace.”
The operation targets three things: the fighters involved in attacks, their weapons and explosives, and the safe havens, especially in the refugee camps. Drones are also used. Apparently with success: According to Israeli security forces, terror from the West Bank has fallen by more than 80 percent since January 2025. In Jenin, the markets and schools are open again, and criminal gangs are also less active. The danger is not over. There are still lone perpetrators who throw stones or shoot, although less frequently.
But what continues to worry Israel most is the ideology of the terrorists. Prisoners said during interrogations that their long-term goal was to win and “enslave” the Israelis. From military circles it is said: “This is an enemy who wants war, not peace.”
