“The leaders of Hamas, the militant Islamic movement responsible for the most deadly suicide attacks in Israel in the last week, are pleased and satisfied just now,” The New York Times reports.

“‘Our spirit is high, our mood is good,’ said Ismail Abu Shanab, one of the organization’s leaders.”

If Israel attacks Gaza, as it has areas of the West Bank, he and the other leaders would likely be principal targets. For now, they live and operate here openly.

By their estimation, the organization’s two recent attacks