Podcasts

Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, was undoubtedly its most symbolic leader, even reaching the level of sainthood among his followers. On July 13, 2024, an attempt was made to assassinate him in the city of Khan Yunis, in a combined operation between the IDF and the Israel Security Agency. What are the consequences for an upcoming hostage deal between Israel and Hamas after this assassination attempt, if it was successful? How will the war in Gaza be affected? What impact does this event have on additional battle fronts with which Israel must cope? In this program, Adi Kantor an INSS researcher, sits down with Yohanan Tzoreff, a senior researcher at INSS and former head of the Palestinian-Arab Division in the Ministry of Intelligence and Strategy. Together they discuss the implications of the assassination attempt and analyze possible future scenarios for the “day after” in Gaza and the Israel–Hamas war.

“Swords of Iron,” the war that began with the Hamas surprise attack that took the lives of hundreds, injured thousands, and led to the abduction of dozens, caught Israel unawares. In this podcast, INSS researchers Prof. Kobi Michael and Yohanan Tzoreff from the INSS research program on the Palestinian arena, and Orna Mizrahi, formerly deputy head of the National Security Council and now part of the INSS research program on the northern arena, analyze the important issues on the agenda.

INSS Managing Director Maj. Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman speaks with INSS senior researchers Prof. Kobi Michael, Dr. Anat Kurz, Brig. Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion, and Yohanan Tzoreff about the operation that began with the targeted killing of three Islamic Jihad commanders. Was the Israeli action, which focused on Islamic Jihad rather than on Hamas targets, correct? What are its implications? Will Hamas join the campaign, despite the focus on Islamic Jihad, and if so, how? In addition, what are the chances that this time as well we will see a convergence of arenas, with escalation along Israel’s other borders?

Prof. Kobi Michael and Yohanan Tzoreff, researchers in the INSS program on the Palestinian issue, discuss the escalation that began following the death of a Palestinian security prisoner who was on a hunger strike (and according to his wife, “wanted to die”). The escalation continued over the course of a day with rocket fire at Israel’s southern towns and cities and IDF strikes on targets in Gaza, and ended with a ceasefire. Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced a victory for the resistance, and declared that while the round was over, the campaign would continue. Why is Hamas allowed to set the rules of the game while Israel remains without creativity and initiative? Does this represent the lack of a strategic plan by the government, or are there other elements at work not plainly visible?