Israel's Intensive Effort to Capture Top Hamas Leaders

In response to the recent attack by Hamas on October 7th, Israel is stepping up its efforts to deal with the top leaders of the group. This move comes after a truce in Gaza fell apart, and there are indications that Israel's actions won't let up until these leaders are dealt with.

The People They're After:

The Israeli Defence Minister has a poster in his office with pictures of many Hamas commanders, and the main targets are Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, and Yahya Sinwar. Even after the invasion and marking dead commanders, these three leaders who planned the October 7th attack are still on the run.

Challenges and Goals:

The ongoing military campaign, lasting seven weeks and causing over 15,000 casualties, is aimed at weakening Hamas's military and government. Getting rid of the leadership is seen as crucial to achieving Israel's aims, such as getting hostages released and preventing another attack like October 7th.

What the World Thinks:

President Joe Biden's team thinks it's more achievable for Israel to go after the top Hamas leaders instead of wiping out the whole group. This aligns with concerns about civilians getting hurt and the risk of a bigger regional conflict.

What It Means Symbolically:

Experts say that if Israel can get rid of Sinwar, Deif, and Issa, it would be a big symbolic win. But doing that is expected to take a long time and be costly, especially with the complicated tunnel system in Gaza.

What's Next:

As the conflict continues, there are questions about how long it will last and whether Israel can actually find and deal with these leaders. It's a tough choice for Israel—whether to keep going until they get them, even if it takes a long time and might not work.

Thinking About People:

While there's a debate about the numbers, with Hamas saying Israel's claims are wrong, the conflict raises worries about how it's affecting regular people. Going after the top leaders might lead to tough battles and fighting in Gaza's tunnels, making things harder for everyone.

Global Impact:

The shock and fear from the October 7th attack make it hard to calm things down. The U.S. supports Israel but is concerned about a long conflict and what might happen, learning from past wars.

As Israel goes after the leaders of Hamas, the region is at a critical point. The uncertainty about what will happen to Sinwar, Deif, and Issa adds even more complexity to an already tricky situation.

Must Read: PM Modi Engages in Diplomatic Talks with Israel's President Herzog Amidst COP28 Summit