"“Can further escalation be prevented after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel? The attack means a "paradigm change" in the conflict between the two countries, said Hans-Jakob Schindler from the Counter Extremism Project in New York.”"

"An aerial assault was launched by Iran against Israel overnight: The Israeli army says more than 300 missiles and drones were fired. It is the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel despite decades of hostility. There's been calm over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the wake of the barrage. Almost all the missiles were intercepted by Israel and the US. The UK and Jordan have also shot down drones. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard says the assault was in retaliation for an attack on its embassy in Syria on April 1st which killed 16 people including several Iranian generals. What considerations will Israel have to take into account as it decides how to respond? How difficult will it be for Israel and the US to agree on a clear response to this attack? Interview with Hans-Jakob Schindler.”

“Iran has launched dozens of drones and missiles against Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard says the assault is in retaliation for an attack on its consulate in Syria which killed several generals. It's the first time Iran has launched a direct military attack on Israel despite decades of enmity. Dozens of Israeli fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept incoming missiles and the army says its defenses are ready. Interview with Hans-Jakob Schindler.”

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler: "A complete ceasefire is unlikely; a reduction in fighting is more realistic. Hamas is fighting for its continued existence as a power factor in Gaza and the survival of its leadership. The Netanyahu government has three, sometimes contradictory, goals: destroying the Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, freeing the hostages, and ensuring the continued existence of the government. Reconciling these positions so that a general pause is possible will be difficult."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed by DW News after the IDF freed two Israeli hostages.  

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed for story: "Since Hamas was in exclusive control in Gaza after 2007, they won the election in 2006, throughout Fatah by force and weapons in 2007, Israel has attacked Gaza and Hamas pretty much every single year. The last attack on Gaza and Hamas positions before October 7 was in May 2023." 

"Hezbollah, just like Hamas, is backed by Israel's arch-rival Iran and is committed to the destruction of Israel. The think tank Counter Extremism Project (CEP) says, 'In February 1985, Hezbollah formally emerged and issued its manifesto. Hezbollah pledged loyalty to Khomeini [Iran's Supreme Leader], demanded the expulsion of foreign forces (i.e., Israel, France, and the U.S.) from Lebanon, called for Israel's destruction, and called for the creation of an Islamic state in Lebanon. As an Iranian proxy, Hezbollah's perceived threat environment is almost identical to Iran’s—Tehran’s enemies are Hezbollah’s enemies. Like Iran, Hezbollah considers the U.S. and Israel to be its chief foes.'"

"Hans-Jakob Schindler, who currently heads the political non-profit Counter Extremism Project, told DW that Israel was balancing the twin goals of safely releasing the hostages while eradicating Hamas in the Gaza Strip."

"Former diplomat Hans-Jakob Schindler, of the Counter Extremism Project, said Germany's measures show that to be treated as a potential threat groups no longer have to openly call for violence.

'Of course, support for Hamas, or attempts to support Hamas, will not necessarily stop in Germany but every time you have one of these bans it makes it more difficult, it makes it harder, it makes it riskier for individuals,' he said.

"Outside of social media, white supremacists and neo-Nazis have continued to use lightly moderated messaging platforms such as Telegram and group-run websites to distribute hate messages and propaganda since the Israel-Gaza war began, according to the Counter Extremism Project, a nonprofit that tracks the groups."