A small Hamas terrorist cell used old-school landline phones specially installed in a “spider web” of tunnels under Gaza to evade Israeli intelligence forces for two years while planning the group’s deadly October 7 attack, a report has revealed.
A hard-wired phone system allowed Hamas to communicate without being detected by Israel or the United States, sources told CNN Tuesday, shocking the Jewish state with an attack that left about 1,400 dead.
Planning meetings are held in person whenever possible, and digital communication on cellphones and computers is avoided to ensure confidentiality, sources said.
Knowledge of the attack was also kept secret from the majority of Hamas fighters until days before the surprise attack in an effort to prevent any information from leaking out — even as the terrorists practiced on the ground without knowing their objectives.
“That’s how you compartmentalize and keep something tight,” the source told CNN, explaining intelligence about Hamas’ secret network was shared with the US by Israeli officials.
Hamas terrorists use landline phones in tunnels under Gaza and avoid digital communications to evade Israeli intelligence.Getty Images
Intelligence officials aren’t worried about seeing Hamas training because “the thinking is, ‘Oh, they always train people like this.’ It doesn’t look different,” the source said.
Hamas is believed to have learned its security and secrecy methods from Iran, but US intelligence does not believe the country was directly involved in planning the October 7 attack, according to CNN.
Hamas’ network of tunnels, dubbed the “Gaza Metro” by the Israel Defense Forces, stretches more than 300 miles under Gaza, allowing the terror group to move its fighters, weapons and supplies across the area undetected from above.
Hamas’ intricate network of tunnels is believed to be laced with stealth traps and stretches 300 miles beneath Gaza.Getty Images
The elaborate system was reportedly rigged with cryptic traps set to force Hamas and the Israeli army into a terrifying guerrilla battle.
Many of the more than 200 Israeli and foreign Hamas hostages seized in the past two weeks are likely being held in a network of tunnels, which are believed to run 130 feet underground and have hidden entrances in public buildings.
Although Israel had previously destroyed the long tunnel, Hamas is believed to have diverted millions of dollars in aid meant for the Gaza Strip’s civilians to rebuild and strengthen its defenses.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
