Israel has list of all Oct. 7 participants, aims to kill or arrest each one — WSJ
The Times of Israel • • world
Key Points:
- Israel has compiled a comprehensive list of Palestinians involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, targeting them for arrest or killing based on multiple pieces of evidence including facial recognition and intercepted communications.
- The list includes all Gazans who crossed into Israel during the attack and Hamas leaders responsible for orchestrating the massacre, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.
- The campaign has continued despite a ceasefire, with Israeli forces eliminating both low-level participants and high-ranking operatives years after the attack, citing imminent threats to justify ongoing strikes.
- Israeli officials compare their efforts to the Mossad's post-1972 Munich Olympics operation, emphasizing a long-term commitment to targeting those responsible wherever they are found.
- Critics, including Hamas, label Israel’s campaign as extrajudicial killings, while some experts argue that in the Middle East, such retributive actions are part of the regional conflict dynamic and serve as a deterrent.