When the radical Islamic group Hamas broke through the Gaza fence to launch a surprise and unprecedented attack on Israel, the kibbutz of Mefalsim – less than two miles from the border – was on the front line. Carrying AK-47 rifles and grenade launchers, one group of extremists headed towards the community’s gates, while another moved to destroy its generator, according to security videos and local residents.
This precision, local Israeli security officials say, was no accident: the fighters seemed to know exactly where to go.
A CNN analyzed documents that Israeli authorities say are plans for terrorist attacks, and they suggest that Hamas has gathered a robust amount of information about its targets. None of the attacks, however, went according to plan, thanks in part to volunteer guards who defended their neighbors in dramatic shootouts.
Photos of the plot to attack Mefalsim were published online by a group of Israeli rescuers, who claim to have recovered it from the body of a dead extremist. Two local security agents told the CNN having seen images of the plan independently and that it perfectly corresponded to the tactics employed during the attack.
Color-coded, the document includes detailed information about the kibbutz’s security team. Instructs a group of extremists to break the community’s fence, while others should “capture soldiers and civilians and hold hostages” for negotiation.
Yarden Reskin, a member of the Mefalsim volunteer security force who spent hours exchanging fire with militants – and helped prevent deaths within the community – said he was “shocked” by the level of detail.
“They knew everything”
This is how Reskin describes the information found. “They knew where the gates, generators and the armory were. They basically knew how many of us were on the security team. They had really, really good information.”
Another alleged Hamas document outlining plans to attack Sa’ad’s neighboring kibbutz, obtained by CNN , it was even scarier. He listed the radicals’ goal as “to achieve as many human casualties as possible.”
As in Mefalsim, the plans did not materialize: a group of rescuers and a local resident reported to the CNN that no residents were killed inside Sa’ad.
The difference between the detailed plans and what happened in practice is a sign of the chaos that spread during the attack, as Hamas fighters encountered much less resistance from the Israeli military than they expected. Despite millions of dollars invested by the Israeli government in securing its border and developing one of the world’s most renowned intelligence operations, its intelligence was caught by surprise.
A CNN translated the documents but did not independently verify their origin. Several spokespersons for the extremist group did not respond substantially to messages seeking comment or confirmation on the plans.
See images of the documents below:
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
