Whatever the shock wave of the latest high-ranking assassinations carried out by Israel: that of Ismail Haniya, head of the political wing of Hamas, and that of Fuad Shukr, head of the military branch of Hezbollah, it is of interest look back and observe, even if only with flying feathers, the use of this tactic by Israel's security and defense establishment. Leaders in its use over the years, it also merits, at least, raising some questions regarding its greater or lesser effectiveness, depending on the circumstances, the strategy it serves and the ultimate objective pursued, with it and with other tools within the framework of Israeli security and defense.
Table of Contents
- A widely used tactic
- Selective killings: The concept
- Who are the objectives
- Are targeted killings an effective tactic?
- Bibliography
A widely used tactic
On July 31, 2024, two high-profile murders shake the entire Middle East from top to bottom. With just around 12 hours of each other, an Israeli attack against a southern suburb of Beirut (Lebanon) ends the life of the head of the military wing of the Shiite guerrilla Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, while, in Tehran (Iran), another operation also attributed to Israel kills the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniya.
They are neither the first nor, certainly, have they been the last, since after these deaths more lethal attacks have taken place against other leaders of these organizations. Indeed, in recent weeks, Israel has been immersed in a wave of targeted assassinations of high-level Hamas and Hezbollah targets in rapid succession, one after another. For example, Shukr is already part of the list of nearly 400 combatants and prominent members of Hezbollah eliminated at different times and in these 10 months of continuous escalation of confrontations with Israel (after the start of hostilities on October 8 in “solidarity ” with Hamas)[1].
According to the Talmud: “If someone comes to kill you, get up and kill him first” (Sanhedrin 72a). Maxim that seems to have guided Israel's national security doctrine since its very birth[2]. It is, therefore, not a new phenomenon, what it has done is evolve, and oscillate, over time and depending on each situation. Until reaching an unprecedented level from the end of 2023 and this 2024.
Although many countries have adopted the tactic of targeted assassinations in the fight against terrorism, whether overtly or covertly, there is little doubt that Israel is one of the world leaders in the use of this tool. Over the years, it has become a key piece in its strategy in the fight against terrorism[3] and against his enemies. Hence, its interest as a case study.
Since 1948, in these seven and a half decades, and in pursuit of the achievement of its interests, Israel has carried out around 2.300 operations of this type, killing several thousand people.[4].
Selective killings: The concept
The term “targeted killing” is used in this text because it is the most commonly used, not because it is the most precise. What Israel does is target intelligence, in order to physically eliminate them. And this in order to destroy, reduce or dissuade irregular armed organizations from continuing to act against Israel, and to do so with the use of lethal force, although limited, in support of a certain strategy, in accordance with the circumstances in which a certain situation occurs. action. A strategy whose ultimate goal is to benefit national policy or the security objectives sought, related to providing greater security to the Israeli population[5].
From the point of view of Tel Aviv, which is the one that carries out this practice, the country is in a situation, more or less permanent, of war, conflict or, at least, threat, with terrorist organizations, guerrillas and states openly hostile, which would legitimize the use of this special intelligence operations procedure against objectives belonging to these organizations and those considered to be enemy combatants. In this way, the term murder, more linked to the criminal field, does not fully adjust to the reality on the ground, which would perhaps be more within International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which does not clearly define it either.[6].
However, it is worth keeping in mind that within IHL, when carrying out a selective assassination, the principles of proportionality must be adhered to (the military advantage of a given attack must exceed the potential risk of harm to civilians), distinction (between population and civilian assets and combatants and objectives) and military necessity (which means choosing the lesser evil so as not to cause greater violence to the adverse party than that required by the development of hostilities)[7]. Principles that, over the years and at different times, have not always been 100% taken into account in the decision-making process.
An example: the attack on July 13, 2024 that ended the life of Mohammed Diab, leader of the Al Qassam Brigades of Hamas, considered one of the architects of the attacks of October 7, 2023 and, after Haniya, one of the highest-ranking officers killed by Israel since then, took place in an area designated as “humanitarian” and at least 90 Palestinians died.
These decisions are ultimately made by the Prime Minister or the Government's security cabinet, after taking into account the recommendations made by various civil and military agencies. After collecting and analyzing the information obtained, an objective is designated and the operation to be carried out is designed. Targeted assassinations are planned and executed by Mossad (Caesarea Division and Kidon), Shin Bet, AMAN, Sayeret Matkal and Naval Flotilla 13, each or in collaboration between various agencies.
The Mossad plans and executes operations abroad and the Shin Bet operates only inside Israel, in the occupied areas of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Before 2000, there was little coordination between agencies in this regard. However, after the outbreak of the Second Intifada that changes and coordinated operations are carried out between Mossad, Shin Bet and AMAN. A measure that, for example, in the year 2000, increased the number of selective murders from 24 that same year to more than a hundred in 2003.[8].
The methods have also evolved over time. In recent times, drone and missile attacks, and surveillance and information gathering with a mix of voice recognition software, artificial intelligence and spies on the ground have dominated, but there have also been poisonings, explosive devices and shootings in the street, among others[9].
Historically, targeted killings have increased when the level of violence has increased, and vice versa. Previously, the Second Intifada was cited in 2000. Following that same trend, in recent months, the level of violence unleashed by the events of last October 7 and the war in Gaza has led to an increase in the number of selective assassinations. .
A wave in which several motivations are added. In addition to those already mentioned above, such as reducing the action capabilities and leadership of hostile organizations, others must be taken into account. One of them is found in the substrate of previous selective assassinations, such as Operation Wrath of God to eliminate those involved in the kidnapping and murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympic Games: revenge. Something to keep in mind, since this motivation has at various times had the more or less majority approval of Israeli public opinion. As Amos Yadlin, former head of Israeli military intelligence, states: “Everyone knows that Israel has a 'Munich 72 Olympics' list for Hamas.”[10].
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