Hamas Planned Oct. 7 To Prevent Israel-Saudi Normalization, Documents Confirm

| Published May 19, 2025

Newly uncovered documents reveal that Hamas orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel with the strategic intent of derailing normalization talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This revelation provides critical insight into the motivations behind the assault, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 250 individuals.

Hamas’s Strategic Calculations

According to minutes from a Hamas political bureau meeting on October 2, 2023, discovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar expressed deep concern over the progressing normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. He reportedly stated that an “extraordinary act” was necessary to halt this diplomatic development, fearing it would lead to widespread Arab and Islamic recognition of Israel, thereby marginalizing the Palestinian cause.

The documents indicate that the attack was meticulously planned over two years, aiming to provoke a regional crisis that would disrupt the momentum of the Abraham Accords and similar initiatives. Sinwar believed that such a dramatic action would “bring about a major move or a strategic shift in the paths and balances of the region with regard to the Palestinian cause.”

The Wall Street Journal presents the following, quoting notes from the meeting further:

For Sinwar and Hamas, who have called for total destruction of Israel and the creation of a Palestinian state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, this was unacceptable. Sinwar said it was time to unleash an attack that had been in the planning stages for two years.

The goal, he said, is “to bring about a major move or a strategic shift in the paths and balances of the region with regard to the Palestinian cause.” He expected to get help from the other Iranian-backed forces of the so-called axis of resistance to Israel.

He called for an “extraordinary act” in order to halt the move toward Israeli-Saudi normalization.

Impact on Israel-Saudi Relations

The aftermath of the attack saw a significant cooling of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman distanced himself from normalization efforts, criticizing Israel’s military response in Gaza. The Saudi government has since stipulated that any progress toward normalization is contingent upon the cessation of hostilities and tangible steps toward the establishment of a Palestinian state.

This shift has effectively stalled U.S.-brokered peace efforts in the region, as the Israeli public grows increasingly skeptical of normalization in the wake of the attack. The documents underscore Hamas’s intent to exploit these dynamics, aiming to prevent a diplomatic realignment that could undermine their objectives.

Broader Regional Ramifications

The attack and its fallout have had profound implications for Middle Eastern geopolitics. The resulting conflict has led to the deaths of over 53,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run sources, and displaced nearly 2 million individuals. The violence has also strained U.S.-Saudi relations, as the Biden administration navigates the complexities of regional alliances and human rights concerns.

Moreover, the documents suggest that Hamas anticipated support from other Iranian-backed groups, such as Hezbollah, to escalate tensions further. While Iran has provided Hamas with weapons, financing, and training, it has expressed a desire to avoid full-scale war, highlighting the delicate balance of power and interests in the region.

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The implications of Hamas’s calculated October 7 attack to derail Israel-Saudi normalization are significant:

1. Undermining Regional Peace Efforts:

   • The attack successfully stalled Israel-Saudi normalization talks, complicating U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.

   • Other Arab nations considering normalization with Israel may now hesitate, fearing similar destabilization.

2. Increased Hostilities and Human Suffering:

   • The conflict sparked by the attack has led to a catastrophic loss of life, with over 53,000 Palestinians reportedly killed and nearly 2 million displaced.

   • Civilian casualties and humanitarian crises have fueled international outrage, further polarizing opinions on the conflict.

3. Strengthened Iran-Hamas Axis:

   • Hamas’s strategy aligns with Iran’s interest in preventing closer ties between Israel and Sunni Arab states like Saudi Arabia.

   • Iran’s continued support for Hamas, while avoiding direct involvement, reflects its strategic approach to destabilizing the region.

4. U.S.-Saudi Relations Strained:

   • Saudi Arabia’s shift away from normalization has complicated U.S.-Saudi diplomatic ties, challenging Washington’s broader Middle East strategy.

   • The U.S. must now balance support for Israel with maintaining relations with Saudi Arabia.

5. Shift in Regional Alliances:

   • Israel’s hardline response to the attack and Saudi Arabia’s criticism have exposed the fragility of emerging alliances in the region.

   • Other Gulf states may reconsider their positions on Israel, fearing backlash or internal instability.

6. Humanitarian Fallout:

   • The massive displacement and civilian casualties in Gaza have deepened the humanitarian crisis, with international organizations struggling to provide aid.

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Overall Takeaway:

The revelations about Hamas’s planned October 7 attack is that it was a calculated move to prevent Israel-Saudi normalization and reassert the Palestinian issue on the international stage. By sparking a devastating conflict, Hamas successfully disrupted diplomatic progress and intensified regional instability. The incident highlights how extremist factions can manipulate geopolitics, creating lasting consequences for peace efforts, U.S.-Saudi relations, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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SOURCES: ZEROHEDGE – Hamas Planned Oct. 7 To Prevent Israel-Saudi Normalization, Documents Confirm

TIME OF ISRAEL – Hamas document shows Oct. 7 attack aimed at derailing Saudi normalization – report

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – Hamas Wanted to Torpedo Israel-Saudi Deal With Oct. 7 Attacks, Documents Reveal

ISRAEL HAYOM – Hamas planned Oct. 7 to prevent Israel-Saudi normalization

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