Exclusive | ‘Hamas is like ISIS’: Former Mossad chief discusses Israel's responsive military actions

Israel is actively in a state of war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas after Saturday’s brutal attack following which more than 1,300 Israelis have been killed in the war. Israel Defence Forces struck up to 2,687 targets in Gaza amid an aerial bombardment campaign under Operation Iron Swords, with the objective of wiping Hamas out “off of the face of Earth,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.  

Speaking exclusively with Republic, Mossad’s former Chief Amnon Sofrin said that he was surprised by Hamas’ brutal attack which unfolded on Saturday and their subsequent targeting of Israel’s civilian population through a barrage of rockets. Mossad, officially known as the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, is Israel’s national intelligence agency. Established in 1949, shortly after the founding of the State of Israel, Mossad's primary mission is to gather intelligence, conduct covert operations, and protect the security and interests of Israel both within its borders and abroad.  

‘Hamas is like ISIS’  

In the interview with Republic, Amnon Sofrin compared Hamas’ brutality in the recent attacks to similar actions committed by terrorists from the Islamic State. The brutality of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has been widely documented and condemned by the international community. The terror organisation gained notoriety for its extreme and ruthless tactics, which aimed to instill fear, maintain control, and further its radical ideological objectives. However, the recent developments in Israel have prompted comparisons between ISIS and Hamas.  

Notably, the Israeli authorities discovered gruesome scenes left behind by Hamas terrorists after the attacks. The IDF stated that Hamas terrorists killed several children, toddlers and elderly during their raids. At least 40 children were "brutally butchered" by the terrorists at a kibbutz near the Gaza border. Many of those killed were decapitated while others were killed in their beds, the Israeli officials added. Furthermore, the official Twitter handle of Israel’s Prime Minister uploaded the graphic images which showed the full scale of Hamas’ brutality. The images were shown to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Israel.  

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently made similar comments during his meeting with Blinken. Calling Hamas worse than ISIS, Netanyahu said, “Just as the whole civilised world united to fight ISIS, the world has to unite to help us fight Hamas.   

'Hamas has Iran’s support’  

The recent Hamas attack on Israel, involving land, air, and sea components, has raised questions about the extent of Iran's involvement in planning and supporting the operation. Iran's role in the Middle East often involves acting through proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza, and militias in Iraq to advance its regional interests and policies. While it is well-established that Iran has provided financial support to Hamas, including rockets, arms, and training, the long-term planning and coordination that made the recent attack possible suggest a more significant Iranian role, the ex-Mossad chief told Republic.  

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that there is no evidence of direct Iranian direction of the Hamas military operation. Former US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, has taken a nuanced view, suggesting that while Hamas may not take direct orders from Iran, it does coordinate with Iranian entities.  

Iran, unsurprisingly, has denied any involvement in the planning of the attack but has expressed support and praised the operation. Iran's Supreme Leader has reiterated his stance that the "usurper Zionist regime" will eventually be eradicated by the Palestinian people. President Raissi of Iran congratulated Hamas for its "victory" and held a conversation with the Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh.  

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has been a long-standing and complex issue, with periodic escalations in violence. Hamas, particularly through its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, has shown resilience in pursuing its goals, often resorting to armed resistance and rocket attacks against Israel. Hamas's persistence is driven by various factors, including its ideological commitment, regional support, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.