This chapter aims to clarify how Hamas’ relationship with Israel has changed over time by tracing the internal dynamics in Hamas’ leadership that influence its decision-making. Hamas' behavior toward Israel has been highlighted by scholars as an important aspect of its foreign relations to understand its beliefs and organizational characteristics. Hamas has developed its policy toward Israel in the form of concrete actions such as the control of violence with the temporary cessation of resistance against Israel and the indirect negotiations for a ceasefire with Israel. It was the external leadership of Hamas outside Palestine that played a central role in determining the direction of its policy. However, the change in the balance of power among Hamas’ leaders took place in a context in which the external leadership worsened Hamas’ foreign relations. Specifically, relations with patrons, such as Iran and Syria, deteriorated during the “Arab Spring,” and the political situation in Egypt, which was chosen to compensate for this deterioration, revealed a lack of foresight. The Gaza leadership has suffered the most from these diplomatic failures of the external leadership. October 7 would be perceived as emerging within this dynamic of the Hamas leadership and as its firm determination to change the status quo against Israel.