Hamas militants had prepared for a 'second phase' of terrorist attacks in Israel, report says

• Hamas aimed to provoke a wider war with the October 7 terrorist attacks, a report said. 
• Analysts told The Washington Post the militant group planned even more extensive strikes.
• Israel's response to the October 7 attacks has prompted concern the violence could spread. 

Hamas militants had prepared for a "second phase" of terrorist attacks in Israel in the hope of provoking a wider conflict in the Middle East, The Washington Post reported.