Israel's assassination campaign against Hamas could backfire. A successful campaign could raise the morale of the Israeli population and eliminate the imminent threat to Israel.
However, it also entails diplomatic risks and the risk of escalating the conflict. Hostage negotiations could also be dangerous. It is questionable whether a series of killings by extremists can sustainably curb violence in the region. A largely successful assassination campaign could even make the prospects for a Gaza ceasefire more favorable to the Israeli public. Eliminating Hamas leaders by force poses an diplomatic and security risks for Israel.