Hamas used tunnel landlines, planned Israel attack for 2 years
A small group of Hamas operatives secretly planned the attack on Israel over a two-year period using landline phones in the web of tunnels underneath Gaza spanning 500km, CNN reported. This enabled Hamas to avoid detection by Israeli intelligence officials and catch them off-guard. Around 1,500 Hamas terrorists launched a three-pronged attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of around 1,400 Israelis and triggering a war that has killed nearly 5,800 Palestinians.
Old-fashioned counterintelligence measures employed
Throughout the planning, Hamas operatives refrained from using computers, mobile phones, or any digital communication devices to evade being tracked by Israeli or US intelligence agencies. To conceal the operation's planning, Hamas employed traditional counterintelligence tactics, such as holding in-person meetings. The information was limited to a small cell of operatives and a larger group of fighters above ground were prepared shortly before the attack. Both US and Israeli officials in Washington declined to comment on the report.
Hamas compartmentalized planning and training
Commanders and fighters of ground units underwent training for months and were kept in a state of general readiness but were only informed of the specific plans in the days leading up to the operation. Intelligence officials mentioned that some of the above-ground training was observed but did not raise significant concerns as it appeared similar to previous training exercises.
Iran's role in Hamas attack on Israel
Another source with knowledge of the latest intelligence stated that Iran assisted Hamas in developing their operational security tactics over the years. However, US intelligence does not believe Iran played a direct role in planning the October 7 attack itself. Israel was aware that Palestinian militants had been using hardwired communication systems prior to the attack, having encountered a similar system during a military raid in the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank this summer.
Israel ignored repeated warnings from Egypt about Hamas attack: Reports
Earlier, reports said Egypt's intelligence officials gave Israel multiple warnings about a major impending attack by Hamas, but they were ignored. Israeli officials said authorities were more focused on the West Bank, underestimating the threat from Gaza. Retired Israeli general Amir Avivi said that Israel's security forces have increasingly relied on technological means to gather intelligence. He suggested Hamas "stopped using technology that could expose it," going back to "the Stone Age."
