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Israel Threatens to Resume Assassinations, Hamas Vows ‘Much Bigger’ Response

Flowers are placed on a grave at al-Sheikh Redwan cemetery during Eid al-Fitr in Gaza City, 21 April 2023. (EPA)
Flowers are placed on a grave at al-Sheikh Redwan cemetery during Eid al-Fitr in Gaza City, 21 April 2023. (EPA)
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Israel Threatens to Resume Assassinations, Hamas Vows ‘Much Bigger’ Response

Flowers are placed on a grave at al-Sheikh Redwan cemetery during Eid al-Fitr in Gaza City, 21 April 2023. (EPA)
Flowers are placed on a grave at al-Sheikh Redwan cemetery during Eid al-Fitr in Gaza City, 21 April 2023. (EPA)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at the possibility of resuming assassinations against members of Hamas and other factions over any possible future escalation.

Israeli media focused on Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas, as the number one target. Hamas commented on by warning that it would have a “much bigger” response.

During a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu called on his ministers to avoid public talk about the option of returning to a policy of assassinations, reported Israel’s Channel 12. His request came after a discussion on the issue, within the framework of a broader debate focused on restoring Israel’s “eroded deterrence”.

The channel reported that the Cabinet deliberated on reactivating the policy of assassinations, even if it led to a new round of fighting with the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli government concluded that Hamas leaders must understand that they would not be able to hide behind their activists in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon, and that Israel intended to restore deterrence and respond in the future.

The leaks about Israel’s intention to resume the assassinations came at a time when Israeli media focused on al-Arouri, describing him as “the most wanted person”, as he stands behind the development of Hamas’ military base in the West Bank and Lebanon.

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that because of al-Arouri, a real war almost broke out during the Jewish Passover holiday. It described him as the most charismatic figure in Hamas, who has contacts with Tehran, Beirut, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and planned to attack Israel from the different fronts.

Israel had accused al-Arouri of being behind the missile attacks that were launched from Lebanon during the month of Ramadan in response to the Israeli forces’ storming of the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem.

Former Israeli generals called for the immediate assassination of al-Arouri. Retired Major General Eitan Dangot, a former secretary for different security ministers, described him as the most dangerous Hamas figure.

Officers in the Shin Bet and Mossad, and former security and military experts agreed that he should be the first target, according to the newspaper.

Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman, said the response by the Palestinian factions to any Israeli action would be “much bigger” than Israel would expect.

“The Palestinian people are not afraid of such threats and will continue their legitimate struggle against the occupation,” Qassem warned.

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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.