A report attributed to a major American newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, summarizes claims from high-ranking sources within Hamas and Hezbollah about Iran’s involvement in planning the October 7 attack on Israel. The account describes a decision-making event held in Beirut on October 2, where the plan reportedly received approval. The report also notes that Iranian officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, began refining the operational details with Hamas leaders in August, with meetings taking place in Beirut, the Lebanese capital. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]
The narrative goes further, asserting that Iran not only backed the attack but actively shaped it for Hamas, granting a formal green light to what is described as a mass-scale operation. It is said that IRGC personnel were involved in planning across multiple theaters, including maritime, aerial, and land dimensions, and that they contributed to the development of the overall execution plan. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]
According to the publication, corroboration for Iran’s involvement was provided by an unnamed European official who serves as an advisor to the Syrian government. The report integrates these claims while noting that other officials have offered different assessments in the public record. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]
Meanwhile, statements from senior U.S. officials have varied. In particular, the U.S. secretary of state has indicated that there is no publicly available evidence tying Iran directly to the assault on Israel, a position that adds to the complexity of the international response and ongoing investigations. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]
On October 7, Hamas forces launched a large-scale barrage of rockets toward Israel as the operation named Al-Aqsa Flood was announced. In response, Israel’s National Security Minister declared a state of emergency, signaling the severity of the situation and the seriousness with which the government views the threat. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]
Prime Minister Netanyahu subsequently declared that Israel is at war, and the Israel Defense Forces named their counteraction against Hamas as Iron Swords. The conflict, described by observers as escalating rapidly, has drawn attention from regional and international observers assessing potential trajectories and diplomatic implications. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]
There is ongoing debate about how long the conflict might endure, with experts weighing strategic, political, and humanitarian factors. The evolving dynamics continue to shape policy discussions among allied governments and international bodies, as they monitor both battlefield developments and the broader regional consequences. [Citation: Wall Street Journal]