The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 14, 2025
Today: April 14, 2025

Initial US intelligence shows Hamas attack surprised Iranian leaders

Rocket barrages launched towards Israel from Gaza
April 26, 2024
Jonathan Landay - Reuters

By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Initial U.S. intelligence reports show that key Iranian leaders were surprised by the unprecedented attacks on Israel by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, according to a source familiar with the reports.

The source said these Iranian leaders would ordinarily know about such an operation.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that the U.S. did not have confirmation of an Iranian link to the attack.

"We are talking to our Israeli counterparts on a daily basis about this question. We are looking back through our intelligence holdings to see if we have any further information on that," he said.

Hamas, an Iranian-backed group, launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis and seizing dozens of hostages. Israel's death toll rose to 1,200 with over 2,700 wounded, its military said, from the militants' hours-long rampage after breaching the border fence enclosing Gaza on Saturday.

Israel subsequently battered Palestinians with air strikes in Gaza. The retaliatory strikes on the blockaded enclave have killed 1,055 people and wounded 5,184, Palestinian officials say. The U.N. said nine staffers working for the Palestinian refugee agency were among the dead.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; writing by Jasper Ward; Editing by Howard Goller and Jonathan Oatis)

Related Articles

Israel blocks aid into Gaza as ceasefire standoff escalates Reuters story on a mother's wait for her son's return from jail is withdrawn White House backs Israel's decision to delay releasing Palestinian prisoners Israel threatens 'all hell will break loose' on Hamas in latest Gaza ceasefire crisis
Share This

Popular

Europe|MidEast|Political|US

Italy says Rome to host second round of US-Iran nuclear talks

Italy says Rome to host second round of US-Iran nuclear talks
Americas|Crime|MidEast|Political|World

No breakthrough in Gaza talks, Egyptian and Palestinian sources say

No breakthrough in Gaza talks, Egyptian and Palestinian sources say
MidEast|Political|US|World

Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 7 people in Yemen, Houthi rebels say

Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 7 people in Yemen, Houthi rebels say
MidEast|Political|World

Iranian foreign minister to visit Russia prior to next U.S. talks

Iranian foreign minister to visit Russia prior to next U.S. talks

World

Business|Economy|Europe|Political|World

China warns UK government to treat Chinese owners of British Steel fairly

China warns UK government to treat Chinese owners of British Steel fairly
MidEast|Political|US|World

Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 7 people in Yemen, Houthi rebels say

Suspected US airstrikes kill at least 7 people in Yemen, Houthi rebels say
Americas|Crime|Political|US|World

Trump to meet with El Salvador's president amid questions over deportations

Trump to meet with El Salvador's president amid questions over deportations
MidEast|Political|World

Iranian foreign minister to visit Russia prior to next U.S. talks

Iranian foreign minister to visit Russia prior to next U.S. talks