What it is about
A CHANNEL 12 news report has exposed the extensive surveillance activities Hamas conducted on Israeli local leaders, security officers, and communities near the Gaza Strip for seven years, culminating in the tragic October 7, 2023, massacre. Sensitively captured documents and surveillance footage highlight the terror group’s planning.
Why it matters
These revelations underscore the grave security challenges faced by Israel’s border communities and the depth of Hamas’s tactical operations. The report highlights Hamas’s sophisticated preparations and long-term planning for attacks, calling into question global stances on terror and cooperative security measures across borders.
Details
Documentation seized demonstrates Hamas’s ability to track IPs and serial numbers of security cameras within the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council and Ashkelon beach areas, specifically targeting spots like Kfar Aza—areas heavily impacted during the October 7 massacre.
Other documents included lists with details on local security personnel. Knowledge of public infrastructure like clinics, kindergartens, and police stations since 2016 reveals the methodical approach to targeting Israel’s civilian populations.
Expert Commentary
Former Shin Bet official Shalom Ben Hanan remarked on Hamas’s military-level precision in gathering intelligence, describing it as a military wing gearing up for large-scale attacks. This further demonstrates Israel’s exposure to evolving threats in proximity to its borders.
Local Leadership Under Threat
Past and present Israeli leaders involved in regional safety initiatives, such as Ofir Libstein and Gadi Yarkoni, were marked as targets according to network documentations. This indicates the direct threat to influential voices working on regional security discussions.
Investigations Pending
In response to the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has initiated inquiries examining the preliminary and operational aspects leading to the attack. Despite this, some call for broader investigations into the political climate that allowed such mobilization by Hamas.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.