Why did Hamas attack Israel, and why now?

The Iran-backed Palestinian faction Hamas knew its unprecedented terror attack on Israel would draw a devastating response, so why did it strike?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country is 'at war' with Hamas after the militant group launched a massive terror attack from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing hundreds and prompting deadly rounds of retaliatory airstrikes on the Palestinian territory. The shocking escalation has left many people wondering why Hamas attacked, and why now.Even before sweeping to power in Gaza in 2007, Hamas openly sought the 'obliteration' of Israel as a matter of policy.

'Professor Ron Hassner, the Israel Studies chair at the University of California, Berkeley, told CBS San Francisco that Iran does have a lot to lose if two of its biggest regional adversaries manage to bridge their own decades-old divide, but he also doubted the diplomatic detente between Israel and its Arab neighbors was the primary motive behind the unprecedented Hamas attack.It's more likely, he said, 'a last-ditch effort by Hamas to appear and be noticed on the world stage.

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