Israeli institute says recovered Sinwar document anticipated Israeli nuclear response

JERUSALEM — Israel's Amit Institute for Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Research said it had obtained a handwritten document attributed to former Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar in which he considered the possibility that Israel would respond to the group's October 7, 2023 attack with nuclear weapons. According to the institute, the document argued that the surprise effect of the operation would last between six and ten hours and that Hamas must prevent Israel from launching a counterattack during that window. The institute said the document warned that Israel would mount a powerful response and that the use of nuclear weapons remained on the table. Sinwar was quoted as writing that "the enemy will not hesitate to use all available tools and weapons, including the nuclear bomb." The institute added that, despite the risk, Sinwar did not abandon his plan even at the potential cost of Gaza's complete destruction. The same documents stated that the attack, initially planned with around 10,000 Hamas members, was carried out on October 7 in three waves involving approximately 5,600 fighters. Hamas has not publicly commented on the institute's announcement.