What special forces units did Hamas deploy in its attack on Israel?

Some of the units' activities or training have been captured in videos posted by Hamas and the group's armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades.

What special forces did Hamas deploy in the attack on Israel? Figure 1 — Hamas fighters. Photo: Reuters

An Israeli military spokesman said they were still battling Hamas militants at multiple points around Gaza, more than 48 hours after the attack was launched in the early hours of October 7.

Train

A source close to Hamas said the group's fighters have been training in Gaza since the last conflict in 2021. The exercise included building a settlement simulating Israeli towns to practice military landings and training attacks on them, the source said.

On its Telegram channel, Hamas posted a video on December 28, 2022, showing training for a "raid behind enemy lines," including training on how to capture Israeli soldiers.

Missile Unit

At the start of the campaign, Hamas said it had fired 3,000 rockets in the first wave of attacks.

The rockets are intended to cause shock and disruption, giving Hamas militants time and opportunity to breach the fortified fence around Gaza and launch attacks.

Airborne unit

The fighters used motorized gliders or paragliders, flying across the border to survey and capture terrain for a ground attack.

Videos released by Hamas show the unit, with insignia called the Air Force Falcon Squadron, appearing to be training for the attack, including practicing landing on a target with weapons at the ready.

Elite commando unit

The elite force of 400 men breached Gaza's fortified fence using explosives to create gaps. After some crossed on motorbikes, bulldozers were used to flatten the terrain, allowing the teams to enter Israeli territory in military vehicles.

The commandos attacked Israel's first lines of defense, raided soldiers' sleeping quarters and seized Israeli military bases and operations headquarters in the south of the country, the source said.

Videos released by Hamas showed militants breaching the security fence, in dim light, coinciding with the time of the rocket attack.

Drone unit

Drones are also being used to monitor the border. Hamas released a video showing a drone called Zouari being used to pave the way for the incursion. They also released a video of militants launching the drone from Gaza.

Intelligence unit

The unit is used to determine the location and movements of Israeli soldiers as well as monitor headquarters. The source did not provide further details about the unit.

Hoang Ton (according to Reuters)

Source