Hamas Attack Aims to Derail Israel-Saudi Normalization

Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel was strategically aimed at disrupting normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar expressed concerns that such normalization would shift focus away from the Palestinian cause, as revealed in secret documents found by the IDF. Hamas, with an annual budget of $2 billion and leaders estimated to hold $11 billion in assets, has long prioritized violent resistance against Israel. The Palestinian Authority spent nearly $350 million annually on a "martyrs fund" to incentivize attacks against Israelis, compared to just $220 million on other welfare programs. Despite receiving over $40 billion in aid between 1994 and 2020, primarily from the EU, US, and Arab nations, the Palestinian cause remains central to Islamic unity. Hamas's attack was intended to globalize the conflict and prevent Israel from establishing peaceful relations with Arab states, which would weaken Hamas's influence. The attack underscores the broader implications for Islamic jihad, as unity on the Palestinian issue has been lucrative for groups like Hamas. Normalization efforts threaten to dismantle this unity, highlighting the attack's significance in the ongoing regional conflict.

Published: 5/19/2025