New details about the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 were revealed today in the London-based “A-Sharq Al-Awast” newspaper. Sources close to the leadership of the terrorist organization’s military wing provided information about the planning and execution of the attack, shedding light on the meticulous preparation and secrecy that surrounded the operation.
According to the sources, the operation began with only 70 fighters who carried out a surprise attack from several points along the border, from the north of the Gaza Strip to the south. They were the ones who crossed the border barrier in the first moments by detonating explosive charges that were specially prepared to create openings in a thick wall, after identifying several weak points. These fighters also used drones and parachutes and killed soldiers in and around the positions.
The decision on the execution was made by only five people: Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Daf, Muhammad Sinwar, Ayman Nofal, and senior Hamas member Ruhi Moshtaha. The senior officials responsible for the preparation of the operation informed the commanders of the battalions of the military arm at a later stage about the equipment assigned and the attack plans – but not about its timing. They were notified three days before, then they met with the commanders of the regional divisions and gave each commander specific tasks without giving them the “zero hour”.
The sources also revealed that the people who carried out the initial attack were chosen from among hundreds of operatives of the Nuh’ba unit from different places in the Gaza Strip. They received extensive training over the years, passing special tests every year to determine their abilities and develop their fighting skills. The plan to attack the surrounding settlements is not new and was tested and preparations began before 2014, but the plan was frozen when Operation Protective Edge began. After the wall guard operation in 2021, it was decided in the military branch to prepare for execution when the appropriate time comes.
The sources explained that the date of the attack, October 7, was chosen following field reports received of “complete silence” on the border. The five senior Hamas officials decided on Friday (the day before the attack) that the appropriate time was Saturday morning, but they waited until midnight and only then gave the order to prepare. The rules of secrecy were followed by senior Hamas political leaders as well.
The leaders of Hamas, inside and outside Gaza, received a briefing hours before the operation, and were asked to disappear completely in accordance with the security measures taken in emergency situations. Ismail Haniyeh and his deputy Saleh al-Aruri were informed about a plan for an unusual attack but without exact details or a date and they learned about the timing a few hours before like everyone else.
The revelations provide insight into the strategic planning and coordination behind the attack and highlight the level of secrecy and preparation involved.