Israeli forces have reportedly recovered a memo in an underground Hamas complex that appears to have been written by Yahya Sinwar, the slain leader of the group. According to reporting, the memo detailed plans for the October 7, 2023 assault, including targeting both Israeli soldiers and civilians, and encouraged militants to use extreme violence to instill fear.
The document allegedly instructed fighters to breach the Gaza–Israel fence using bulldozers, launch attacks in multiple waves, and enter residential neighborhoods to set them ablaze with gasoline or diesel. While it did not explicitly call for killing civilians, it ordered militants to burn entire neighborhoods or kibbutzim and to commit acts of brutality against soldiers at close range.
Intercepted communications from Hamas commanders reportedly support the memo’s instructions. On the morning of October 7, messages urged militants to set homes on fire, seize Israelis as hostages, and “kill everyone you encounter.” Commanders allegedly told fighters to film the attacks and broadcast them to the Arab world to inspire support and participation in the conflict.
The discovery of the memo and corroborating communications has raised questions about Hamas’ planning and Israel’s intelligence assessments ahead of the attack. Officials have indicated that these documents could shed new light on the coordination and objectives behind the assault.
