What happened:

Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had predicted the exact nature of a Hamas terror strategy years before it became a reality. He warned of Hamas’ potential for mass infiltration, settlement seizure, and civilian abduction during a Knesset debate in April 2017.

Why it matters:

Netanyahu’s prescient details about Hamas’ terror tactics underscore the continuous security threats faced by Israel and the necessity for vigilance and preparedness against such planned aggressions.

Details of the warning:

Netanyahu’s description of the threatening scenario included a comprehensive attack: an aerial assault with rockets, a maritime attack using naval commandos, airborne troops utilizing parachutes, and ground forces infiltrating through tunnels. He stressed the importance of Israeli influence on Hamast’s capabilities and the efforts to prevent the realization of such plans.

Context:

The discussion took place at the Knesset’s State Control Committee following the State Comptroller’s report on Operation Protective Edge. At that time, Netanyahu highlighted the grave nature of the security scenario, emphasizing the dedication of 30,000 terrorists to Israel’s destruction.

Netanyahu’s view on conflict avoidance:

Despite his awareness of the threat, Netanyahu expressed at the time a desire to avoid outright war, reflecting the complexity of Israel’s security decisions in the face of persistent threats from groups like Hamas.

Impact:

The former Prime Minister’s words are a chilling reminder of the strategic challenges Israel faces and the importance of anticipating and countering terror plots to protect its civilians and sovereignty.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.