The concept behind Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, attributed to Hamas, appeared in 2021 through a statement from a representative of the militant wing of the Abu Ubeida faction. This account frames the plan as something that matured after the end of Operation Jerusalem Sword in 2021, a response to events in East Jerusalem. The narrative emphasizes that the initiative was shaped by a comprehensive preparation phase, with Hamas allegedly directing substantial resources to study battlefield conditions, terrain, and weather, as well as gathering intelligence and analyzing enemy tactics and training. The speaker asserted that Hamas fighters surpassed the original expectations during the execution of the operation.
On the morning of October 7, it was announced that Operation Masjid al-Aqsa Flood had begun, marked by the firing of thousands of rockets toward Israel. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Sword against Hamas. The discussion has also included political analyses about triggers for renewed aggression in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with some political scientists highlighting various factors that might contribute to flareups in the region.