IMO they targeted the worst one... but that's assuming they're interested in peace and not Bibi's continued rule.
Just saying if Hamas assassinated the Israeli in charge of peace negotiations on foreign soil Gaza would be a plain of glass. I'd sooner believe the moon is made of cheese than think this was anything but Bibi trying to prolong his time as a free man by escalating purposely with two countries at once.
nominally, I agree that the immediate motives are Bibi's self interest.
Strategically, this does drive a wedge between Hamas and Iran. Of the likely successors, Mashaal has had multiple conflicts with Iran, Abu Marzouk is a pragmatist who would probably start de-escalating, and al Hayya who is a hardliner. For two of those three, Hamas moves away from Iran which is probably a good thing for Israel.
IMO they targeted the worst one... but that's assuming they're interested in peace and not Bibi's continued rule.
Just saying if Hamas assassinated the Israeli in charge of peace negotiations on foreign soil Gaza would be a plain of glass. I'd sooner believe the moon is made of cheese than think this was anything but Bibi trying to prolong his time as a free man by escalating purposely with two countries at once.
nominally, I agree that the immediate motives are Bibi's self interest.
Strategically, this does drive a wedge between Hamas and Iran. Of the likely successors, Mashaal has had multiple conflicts with Iran, Abu Marzouk is a pragmatist who would probably start de-escalating, and al Hayya who is a hardliner. For two of those three, Hamas moves away from Iran which is probably a good thing for Israel.
Only time will tell though