The Ayatollah ordered the attack as a message to Saudi Arabia—don’t make peace with Israel. Here is a quote from one of the many stories—“The Iran-backed Hizbollah militant group in Lebanon said the attack was a “message” to countries such as Saudi Arabia that are seeking to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel. It said it was “direct in contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance”. Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, who advises Iran’s supreme leader on military issues, said Tehran “backs [Hamas’s] operation” and that “we believe the resistance movement also supports it” — a reference to other militant groups in the Middle East.” See “Netanyahu says Israel is at war after Hamas launches multi-front assault,” Financial Times, 10-7-23.
This article makes me think immediately of what Israel already knows—what happens if 100,000 missiles from Hezbollah (supposedly most of its stock) are shot simultaneously from Lebanon into northern Israel. Second, the analyst in the CNN story is correct that Egypt and Qatar have to be mad at Hamas and Iran for this attack. But I will add this, that it puts back the idea of a Palestinian state. “Intelligence analyst: ‘Tactically’ nothing like this has ever happened,” CNN, 10-7-23.
“Israel: Over 150 dead, 1,000 wounded, scores captured by Hamas,” I24, 10-7-23.
“Iran says Hamas offensive a sign of ‘confidence’,” I24, 10-7-23.
A senior Iranian government advisor explicitly endorsed Hamas in the conflict, the most direct support for the militant group from any government official globally. “We congratulate the Palestinian fighters,” advisor Yahya Rahim Safavi said, according to state media via Reuters. “We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.” Iran state media showed video of parliament members chanting in support of Hamas on Saturday, saying “Death to Israel” and “Palestine is victorious, Israel will be destroyed”. Iran has funded and supplied Hamas for years as part of its decades-long conflict with Israel. “Adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader expresses support for Palestinian attacks -Iranian media,” Reuters, 10-7-23.
“The Hamas Assault Lies at Iran’s Feet,” National Review, 10-7-23.
“She entered the subway without a headscarf. What happened next?,” NBC News, 10-7-23.
They mean what they (repeatedly) say. “Iran Parliament Chants Death To Israel And America Amid Hamas Attack Video,” Times Now, 10-7-23.