Electronic devices and documents taken from Hamas fighters after the October 7th attack reveal years of planning and a very high level of "detail and readiness" in the preparation of the October 7th attack. AFP reported.
The material, taken from dead or captured Palestinian gunmen, shows detailed plans for an attack aimed at causing "such a shock as to break the spirit of the people".
Data from cellphones, computers, tablets, GPS devices, GoPro cameras, maps and laptops "show years of planning on how to attack bases and kibbutzim," an Israeli intelligence officer said.
On October 7, hundreds of Hamas and allied fighters from Gaza invaded southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages.
In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas with relentless bombing and a ground offensive. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the Israeli military campaign has killed an estimated 15,900 people, mostly women and children.
To analyze the material, Israel reactivated a military intelligence unit called Amshat to review the numerous Arab documents and decipher millions of electronic data.
Together, they make up a "battle plan. The level of detail and readiness is the biggest surprise for Israel.
The Amshat Squad was founded after the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, when Israel was hit by Egyptian and Syrian attacks, and has since been activated several times.
The New York Times reported on December 1 that more than a year ago, Israeli intelligence had obtained a Hamas plan detailing a step-by-step attack similar to the October 7 attack, but it was described as an "imaginary" scenario.
Hostage Taking Handbook
Detailed tactical plans were found on computers, including objectives, names of the units involved and missions assigned to each, along with precise operational details, timings and a list of required weapons.
There is also a detailed hand drawing of the Nahal Oz military post that Hamas has taken over.
Satellite photos and accurate plans of two of the attacked kibbutzim were found among dead fighters.
Part of the training was on how to take hostages. It tells the militants to blindfold and tie the hands of all adult hostages.
It added that hostage-takers should "kill those who cause trouble or seek to escape".
The manual, seen by AFP, includes around 50 expressions in Hebrew, including "shut up", "do not move", "hands in the air" and "lie down". /BGNES
