Return to suicide bombings: Hamas' appeal to West Bank residents and the distress of Israelis

Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas' external operations, recently called for "residents of the West Bank" to "return to acts of self-sacrifice for Allah" in a speech he delivered in Istanbul at the end of August 2024.

Screenshots of two articles by two news outlets analyzing Hamas' call for West Bank residents to return to suicide bombings. Retrieved on September 7th, 2024.

What do suicide bombings mean for Israelis?

During the Second Intifada, suicide bombings became a devastating tactic used by terror groups to target Israelis. This period of intense Israeli-Palestinian conflict lasted from 2000 to 2005, beginning with a surge of Palestinian violence following a visit by Likud leader Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This visit was seen as an attempt to assert Israeli control over the site, coinciding with the Camp David summit aimed at reaching a final peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

The conflict, which continued until September 2005, saw Palestinian suicide bombers increasingly targeting Israeli civilians with powerful explosives. This resulted in over 1,000 Israeli deaths and thousands of injuries. In retaliation, more than 2,000 Palestinians were killed over these five years, significantly due to terrorists using civilians as human shields.

Until today, suicide bombings remain ingrained in the minds of Israelis and are associated with a period of intense fear in their history, which they deeply worry about reliving.

Basic definitions of terrorism and security threats

Understanding terrorism is crucial for grasping its nature and characteristics. There is no universal definition, but it is generally recognized as violence intended to instill fear and panic in a specific group of people. Various scholars and governments interpret it differently.

Terrorism's characteristics vary based on factors like geographic and economic conditions of the region, and it is often marked by extreme violence, such as suicide bombings, aimed at harming a particular group. Motivated by ideological, political, or religious reasons, terrorists conduct attacks that fall into two categories: suicide attacks, where attackers sacrifice their lives for their cause, and conventional attacks, such as shootings and stabbings. Terrorist threats significantly impact a state's security by disrupting social order and creating chaos.

Addressing extremist acts through suicide bombings

Suicide terrorism is closely linked to religious radicalism, though it can also promote ideological movements. Understanding the psychology and social conditions of individuals involved is crucial for addressing this violence and developing effective counter-terrorism strategies.

Attackers involved in suicide terrorism believe their deaths are necessary to advance their cause, interpreting their actions as the only way to achieve their goals. Suicide terrorism driven by religion is often justified by martyrdom in the name of Allah, known as "Istishhad," which is seen as a divine command based on holy texts or religious teachings.

Scholars suggest that the psychological profiles of suicide terrorists differ from those of typical suicidal individuals. They act from stoic motivations, viewing their deaths as obligations to their community. This is influenced by indoctrination, which glorifies martyrdom, and adverse social conditions like poverty and oppression, as noted by researchers such as Post et al. Terrorist groups use suicide terrorism as a tactic to achieve their goals, particularly when facing superior forces. Pape highlights a strong correlation between suicide terrorism and military occupation by opposing parties.

The case of the Sbarro Restaurant bombing

The Sbarro restaurant bombing in Jerusalem on August 9, 2001, during the Second Intifada, greatly exemplifies a suicide attack. It was meticulously planned by two Hamas terrorists, Izzedine al-Masri and Ahlam Tamimi, who smuggled a bomb in a guitar into the pizzeria, killing 16 civilians and injuring 130.

Analyzing the motivations behind this suicide bombing, we see:

1. Political and Social Context: Both terrorists were from the Palestinian Territories and had experienced conflict and the regular presence of the IDF. These experiences fostered a desire for revenge. They came from a context where extreme actions were supported as a form of retaliation.

2. Religious Indoctrination: Radical religious affiliations play a crucial role in motivating attackers to commit suicide bombings, as they view martyrdom as a heroic act honoring their cause. Izzedine al-Masri’s connection with Hamas and his strong religious beliefs support this view.

3. Personal and Psychological Elements: Personal losses due to conflict can fuel revengeful feelings. Individuals who have faced such tragedies may see extreme acts as a way to achieve personal redemption and honor in their community, especially when influenced by terrorist groups that frame suicide bombings as means to attain eternal reward.

The current call by Hamas for West Bank residents to return to suicide bombings instills a tremendous sense of fear and unease in Israelis, as they are acutely aware of the possibility of being attacked unexpectedly at any moment during their daily routines: fear of taking the bus, fear of walking in busy central streets, fear of going to places of worship during holidays, and fear of walking with headphones on.

This is a reality that has never been forgotten, and which has remained a latent fear in the minds of Israelis for twenty years, a fear that no one wants to experience again.