On Tuesday, October 7th, an Israeli security agency created a special unit to hunt down and kill Hamas terrorists. This move was made in response to a surprise attack executed by Hamas on October 4th.
The newly launched unit is known as the central unit for intelligence and counterterrorism forces (CUITF). Specializing in preparing and carrying out terrorist activities, this unit will be responsible for tracking, locating, and eliminating the responsible Hamas operatives from the surprise attack on October 4th.
In a statement announcing the unit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “This unit will ensure that particular actions and measures will be taken to battle terrorism in order to protect the lives and security of all Israelis.”
This news follows an October 4th ambush by Hamas in which an IDF soldier was killed and four other persons were injured. The attack was carried out by a group of militants that infiltrated the Israeli border from the Gaza Strip at twilight and suddenly opened fire on the soldier’s patrol party. In response, the IDF returning fire and launched an airstrike on Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, killing at least four Hamas operatives.
The launch of CUITF signals an increase in Israeli military activity towards the terror group and confirms that the Israeli government is committed to dealing with Hamas in a more proactive manner.
While this unit will certainly open new possibilities in the battle against terrorism, some critics have raised concerns about the potential for it to overstep its mission and lead to collateral damage or human rights violations.
At this time, the effectiveness of the CUITF is unknown. However, it does appear that Israel is taking serious steps to combat terrorism and protect its citizens. Should this unit be successful, it could pave the way for other countries to replicate the successful formula and bring an end to terrorist activities.