Shin Bet Director David Zini delivered a chilling, unequivocal message to Hamas leaders in Gaza and abroad, declaring that Israel's security services will never stop hunting down everyone responsible for the October 7 massacre. Speaking Thursday at a ceremony honoring top Shin Bet agents, and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in the audience, Zini told the planners and perpetrators of the attack that there is no place in the world too far, no forgiveness, and no expiration date on Israel's pursuit. He added that Israel has hunted, is hunting, and will keep hunting them down to the last co-conspirator, vowing that the country's security establishment will reach its targets deep in tunnels, inside hidden command centers, and in every corner of the globe.

The warning comes as Israel continues its long campaign to track down those behind the 2023 attack, with Netanyahu telling the same ceremony that the Shin Bet has already hunted down the vast majority of the Hamas operatives responsible and thwarted roughly 1,000 terrorist attacks in the West Bank. Zini's threat carries added weight given Israel's past willingness to strike Hamas figures well outside Gaza, including a bid to hit Hamas officials in Qatar last year, an operation Israel has since pledged not to repeat on Qatari soil. Should any of those officials leave Qatar, however, Zini's warning suggests Israel would consider them fair game once again. The ceremony also spotlighted 18 Shin Bet operatives honored for their roles fighting Hamas and Iran, countering West Bank terrorism, and defending Israel's cyber and technological security.