10-08-2023, 10:15 PM
(10-08-2023, 10:02 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: While we certainly have our own HUMINT sources in the area, because of our closeness with Israel we do rely heavily on them for the network in the region. Bibi has gone big brother in Gaza in a serious way and is called "Mr. Security" as a result of it. To be clear, if our intelligence community was unaware of the plans that is shocking as well. However, and maybe I am a little bit of a conspiracy theorist here, but there is a small, not tiny, but small part of me that thinks we had an idea something was up. I don't know why, but I just feel like there is such a small chance something this significant and complex was planned without either the US or Israel knowing.
You'll please forgive me for feeding the flames, but I had a similar thought. It would not shock me at all if this attack was known, or at least suspected, and absorbing the initial blow was deemed acceptable due to the leeway for response it would supply. I would add, for others, that this in no way excuses the attacks. But quite simply, if you're looking to crush Hamas and sway global sentiment heavily in your favor than this attack could not be more prefect. It also heavily discredits any pro-Palestinian movements in other countries. This could be a case of Hamas and Iran playing themselves.
