IDF Releases Hamas Engineering-Unit Document Proposing Explosives Around Displaced-Persons Shelters
The IDF published an internal Qassam Brigades engineering-unit document, which it dates to April 2024, proposing to plant explosives around shelter centers for displaced Gazans and detonate them as Israeli troops approached — to disrupt the advance and create panic as cover for escape. The document has not been independently authenticated. Social-media retellings added claims (blaming Israel, relying on Western media) that are not in it.
On October 19, 2026 the IDF released images of an Arabic document on Qassam Brigades engineering-unit letterhead, titled "Regarding a proposal for securing shelter centers." Its proposals include roadside charges around displaced-persons shelters to be detonated on Israeli vehicles, detonations near tents to create panic and a "smoke screen" for escaping operatives, booby-trapped houses and tents, and devices along roads. The IDF says it was written in April 2024 and that Hamas knew the plan would likely harm civilians. The document has not been independently authenticated; no Hamas response was found.
Sources & References
- 1. Israel Defense Forces on X (Oct 19, 2026): release of the internal Hamas document, with images of the Arabic original and Hebrew translation
- 2. World Israel News: IDF exposes Hamas plot to rig Gaza civilian camps with explosives (Oct 19, 2026) — says the document was written in April 2024
- 3. Eyal Yakoby on X (Oct 19, 2026) — the circulating version of the claim (~140,000 views at time of review)