Amid the chaos surrounding the war with Iran, the intervention of Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias, and the relentless rocket fire on Israel, a little-known Israeli doctrine is once again in the spotlight. The "Samson" Plan is considered Israel's nuclear policy reserved for the most serious existential threats. The idea is clear - if Israel is ever pushed to the brink of destruction, it will not fall alone.
The renewed focus on this doctrine comes amid an escalating multi-front conflict that began with Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel has been engaged on several fronts, with tensions escalating far beyond Gaza.
On March 3, 2026, Iranian forces claimed to have attacked the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a "Kheybar" hypersonic missile. While Iranian statements suggested a dramatic strike, Israeli media reported a lack of casualties, underscoring the fog of war and propaganda that has shrouded the conflict. More clear, however, is the position of Iran's powerful military wing, the Revolutionary Guard. It operates under a "fight to the last" doctrine - it is prepared to exhaust its arsenal rather than admit defeat. However, Israel is believed to operate under a similar, if far more sinister, philosophy.
The Nuclear Ambiguity Around Israel
Unlike the official nuclear powers, Israel has long maintained a policy of deliberate ambiguity. It neither confirms nor denies that it possesses nuclear weapons, a position that has shaped its strategic posture for decades.
This ambiguity dates back at least to the Cold War era. A key moment came in 1979, when a US satellite detected a double flash over the Indian Ocean, widely interpreted by intelligence analysts as evidence of a nuclear test, possibly conducted by Israel with the support of apartheid-era South Africa. The Jimmy Carter administration, however, has failed to officially confirm this conclusion.
Since then, Israel's silence has worked in its favor. By not acknowledging its nuclear capabilities, it has avoided the kind of sanctions that countries like India faced after their 1998 nuclear tests—while also benefiting from the deterrent that such weapons provide.
Independent estimates suggest that Israel possesses about 90 nuclear warheads, with enough fissile material to produce significantly more. Analysts also believe that Israel has a complete "nuclear triad" - the ability to launch weapons from the air, land, and sea, as well as tactical nuclear options designed for battlefield use.
Explanation of "Plan Samson"
The name comes from the biblical figure Samson, who, after being captured and blinded, toppled a temple on himself and his enemies, killing everyone inside. Strategically, the doctrine represents a similar idea: if Israel faces imminent destruction, it can resort to nuclear weapons on a large scale, even if it means catastrophic consequences for itself and the region.
Experts say Israel has never formally outlined such a doctrine. But, as analysts such as Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association have noted, reading between the lines of official statements and military planning suggests that such a contingency exists. The Federation of American Scientists also describes the Samson option as a key, if implicit, component of Israel's deterrence strategy.
A message of deterrence
At its core, "Samson" is less about actual use and more about signaling. The doctrine serves as a warning: any attempt to destroy Israel would come at an unbearable cost. In this sense, it echoes Cold War-era doctrines such as "Dead Hand" - a semi-automated system designed to ensure a nuclear response even if a country's leadership is destroyed.
The message is direct and unambiguous. If Israel is pushed to the brink, it will ensure that its enemies fall with it. In a region already on the brink, this option, however small, adds a deeply disturbing dimension to an already volatile war.