Against the backdrop of escalating tension surrounding the conflict with Iran and expanding hostilities in the region, analyses related to the so-called “Samson Plan“ – an unofficial and widely discussed concept associated with Israel's ultimate deterrence strategy, writes WION.
The idea, described in analyses as an ultimate nuclear option in the event of an existential threat to Israel, envisages a scenario in which the state could launch a massive counterattack if faced with annihilation.
However, experts emphasize that there is no officially confirmed Israeli doctrine with such a name, and the concept is based on interpretations and analyses of the deterrence strategy.
Israel has maintained a policy of so-called “nuclear ambiguity“ – neither confirms nor denies the presence of nuclear weapons, which analysts say serve as a key element of deterrence.
According to various estimates, the country has an arsenal of nuclear warheads and the ability to launch them from land, air and sea, although there is no official data.
The name “Samson“ comes from the biblical story of Samson, who destroys the temple on himself and his enemies - a symbolism used to describe a final strategy in the face of existential risk.
Analysts note that such concepts are primarily deterrent in nature and aim to signal that any threat to the survival of the state would have catastrophic consequences for its attackers.
In the context of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the topic is once again attracting attention, although it remains in the realm of hypothetical strategic analyses.