Hamas Documents - Found in the Battlefield

Military-Strategic Information Section

Planning Directorate// Israel Defense Forces

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Unclassified

Hamas Documents: Found in the Battlefield

Operation Protective Edge



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Unclassified

Captured Hamas Combat Manual: Guide to Human Shields

Hamas Combat Manual

IDF troops in the Gaza Strip found a Hamas manual on Urban Warfare belonging to the Shujaiya Brigade of Hamas military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. The discovery of a Hamas urban warfare manual by IDF forces reveals that Hamas callous use of the Gazan population was intentional and preplanned. This manual exposes two truths: Hamas knows full well that the IDF place

maximum effort on minimizing civilian casualties.

Hamas exploits these efforts by using

civilians as human shields against advancing IDF troops.



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Captured Hamas Combat Manual: Benefits of Human Shields

The manual goes on to explain that the presence of civilians are pockets of resistance cause three major problems for advancing troops: Problems with opening fire Problems in controlling the civilian

population during operations and afterward

Assurance of supplying medical care to civilians who need it

The manual also discusses the benefits for Hamas when civilian homes are destroyed: Increases the hatred of Gaza citizens towards the IDF and increases their gathering support for Hamas

Portion in Hamas combat manual entitled Limiting the Use of Weapons



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A Hamas training manual was found by IDF troops in Gaza, containing instructions on how to make bombs at home. The manual explains how to conceal and detonate all kinds of explosives. During Operation Protective Edge, soldiers from the Givati Brigade found explosives that are very similar to those detailed in the manual. Such explosives have been found in Palestinian homes in Gaza, endangering not only the residents of the house but also neighbors within range of a potential explosion.

Page 14 explains how to fill a television-shaped bomb with shrapnel.

Hamas Home Made Explosives Manual



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Hamas tells Gazans: Stop Exposing Terrorist Deaths

The post has two purposes: Support exaggerated Hamas

claims of civilian casualties. By hiding evidence of terrorist deaths, Hamas can report higher numbers of civilian deaths in Gaza.

In order to support Hamas claims of victory in battle, it seeks to hide the organizations significant losses against Israel. The IDF killed over 750 terrorists in Operation Protective Edge, delivering a severe blow to Hamas capabilities.

Hamas Facebook post, August 5, 2014