ISRAEL VS. HAMAS – PART II – 2023

SGM Herbert A. Friedman (Ret.)

     

NOTE: On 8 December 2023, Retired Colonel Joe Meissner, editor of the Psychological Operations newsletter Perspectives, advised his members to read this article after the Hamas attack on Israel that led to more than 1,200 deaths, 5,400 injured, and 248 hostages taken into Gaza, "Here is our first article on HAMAS in Perspectives from our PSYOP author, Herb Friedman."

Gaza Attacks – Israel Retaliates

Map of Gaza Strip

Hamas can be translated as “zeal” and represents the Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, or Islamic Resistance Movement. Hamas grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political organization founded in Egypt with branches throughout the Arab world. Hamas regards Israel as well as the Gaza Strip and the West Bank an Islamic land that can never be surrendered to non-Muslims. It believes that jihad (struggle) to “liberate” the land from Israel is the religious duty of every Muslim.

As such, Hamas does not recognize Israel as a sovereign state. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and is banned in Jordan.

Hamas considers terrorism a legitimate means of resistance. Hamas members started carrying out terrorist attacks starting in the late '80s, at first in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The military wing of Hamas, formed in 1992, is known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, to commemorate Sheikh Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, the forefather of modern Arab resistance, killed by the British in 1935.

On 7 October 2023, at 6:30 a.m. in Israel Air raid sirens began sounding in Jerusalem. An estimated 2,200 rockets were fired toward southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, by the Hamas militants, according to the Israel Defense Forces (Hamas claimed 5,000 - Israel admitted on 16 October that Palestinian militants have fired more than 5,500 rockets into Israel since the fighting erupted). Armed Hamas militants, many on motorcycles stormed restricted areas of the Gaza Strip, shooting at Jewish settlers. Hamas militants took Israeli citizens, including mothers, children and the elderly hostage and took them across the Gaza border. An estimated 150 hostages were taken by militants back to Gaza (including up to 50 foreigners).

By about 10:30 a.m. Israeli jet fighters launched retaliatory strikes in Gaza. A high-rise residential building and the Al-Sousi Mosque in Gaza City were bombed and flattened by Israeli airstrikes. Premier Netanyahu made his first public statement:

Israel is at war. This is not a so-called military operation, not another round of fighting, but war.

On 9 October, Israeli jet fighters struck 130 targets in the Gaza Strip. By 12 October the number of American citizens killed was 25, but another 17 were missing. The known total number of deaths by terrorist attack, mostly civilian was 1,200. By 13 October that number rose to 1,300 dead and 3,000 wounded. The death toll in Gaza stands near 1,400, with 6,200 injured. More are dying every day on both sides so these numbers are just estimates.

The Official Israeli Translation of the Leaflet

I immediately wrote 251 words about that leaflet looking at dozens of news stories, each with partial translations of the Israeli leaflet. I pointed out how different they were and that different people might translate it differently. Days later researcher friend Andrew Chaney sent me a copy of the official translation so I deleted all those other attempts at getting the translation perfect and the various newspaper translations and added this one.

The first mention of aerial leaflets was 12 October when Palestinian residents said that Israeli planes dropped flyers into Gaza with a message for them to leave their homes and head to "known shelters" or risk being harmed

On 14 October the Guardian shows leaflet dropped on Gaza

For their part Hamas has tried to stop the evacuation of the city. Apparently, they would prefer a large body count for their propaganda releases.

Leaflets and Bomb Cartoon
Nicola Jennings - The Guardian

On 16 October, Nicola Jennings placed a Leaflet/bomb cartoon in the Guardian. The targets or politics do not matter because in a way this cartoon is true for every leaflet that is dropped. The bombs are marked "For Hamas only" and the leaflets are marked "FLEE – Civilians only." The implication is that whether WWII, Korea, Vietnam, or Iraq, there is no way that the bombs hit only the enemies while the leaflet reach only the civilians. The delivery of both is random and in general both the enemy troops and civilians get their fair share of each, some read while others die.

On 17 October the AP reported that a massive blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter, killing hundreds of people. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military blamed a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants. At least 500 people were killed:

The Israel Defense Forces released an audio recording on 18 October of what it said were two Islamic Jihad terrorists admitting responsibility for the Gaza City hospital bombing a day before that killed hundreds of people. The clip, posted on X, is captioned “Islamic Jihad struck a Hospital in Gaza—the IDF did not. Listen to the terrorists as they realize this themselves.”

It was released as Hamas and Israel blamed each other for the attack on the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, which was crammed with Palestinians injured in retaliatory Israel airstrikes and residents seeking refuge. “Is it from us?” one operative is heard asking on the recording, according to the IDF’s translation. “It looks like it,” his cohort replies. The purported members of Islamic Jihad are then heard acknowledging that the shrapnel of the missile “are local pieces, and not Israeli shrapnel,” from rockets fired from the “cemetery behind the hospital.” “But God bless, it couldn’t have found another place to explode?” one of them asked. In addition, there was no bomb crater, just a hole perhaps two feet across that would have been made by a rocket.

After more days of rocketing against Israel, now also from other Arab countries like Lebanon, and continued bombing of Gaza by the Israeli air force, the numbers were higher. These numbers come from the two sides so there is no way to tell if they are accurate. On 20 October the numbers were:

At least 1,400 people in Israel have been killed and more than 4,500 injured since the unprecedented cross-border Hamas attack on Oct. 7, Israeli authorities said. Hamas is also holding 203 hostages, according to the IDF. Palestinian officials said 3,785 people in Gaza have been killed and more than 12,400 wounded in strikes.

Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets on Gaza City again on 22 October, reiterating previous requests that all civilian residents there evacuate to the southern area of the Gaza Strip. Residents said the wording of the leaflets carried a stricter tone than before, saying that:

Urgent warning! To the residents of Gaza - your presence north of Wadi Gaza is putting your lives at risk. Anyone who chooses not to evacuate from the north of the Gaza Strip to the south of the Gaza Strip may be identified as a partner in a terrorist organization.

At the same time, Gaza residents were getting cellphone calls telling them that everyone in Gaza City now is considered a terrorist and a collaborator with terrorism if they do not evacuate the city.

An Israeli leaflet looking for the hostages?

This rather odd leaflet from the Israeli Defence Forces with a QR code says:

If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area. The Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in providing security for you and your home, and you will receive a financial reward.

We guarantee you complete confidentiality.

The contact details are:

Secure phone call: *8619
Whatsapp, +972503957992
Telegram, +972503957992
Signal: +972503957992

Don’t carry a Hamas Flag

This leaflet dropped on Hebron and basically says that The IDF will find and catch ANYONE who identifies themselves as a member of Hamas, or even holding their flag.

The last three words of the message seem wrong to me, but that was the way the message was translated. That part of the message is in the shade and could be mistranslated.

Anyone who considers himself a member of the Hamas movement and supports it, in any way, even if he raises the movement’s flag, is solely responsible for what may happen to him and his family. The Israeli army will reach him, his home and everyone who cooperates with him, and the West Bank will never allow Hamas to do so.

By 27 October the numbers on both sides had risen. The reader should understand that there is no way to verify any of these numbers but they are interesting to see. Israel said that rockets fired from Gaza often malfunction. The Israeli military said that Palestinian armed groups had fired more than 6,900 rockets toward Israel since the current conflict began and that at least 550 had misfired. The Gaza Health Ministry released a document that said over 7,000 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

A Possible Civilian Leaflet in Gaza

On 28 October it was reported by Al Mayadeen that anti-Palestinian leaflets were found on the West Bank that were not from the Government of Israel. The leaflet might be from civilian Jewish settlers, or it could be a black operation by Hamas intended to show that those settlers desire the expulsion of all Arabs from the lands they inhabit. The letter reads as follows:

YOU WISHED FOR WAR; NOW EXPECT THE GREATEST NAKBA.

To the people of the enemy in the [West] Bank:

The satanic-ISIS-Hamas organization of slaughterers who seek corruption on earth has committed the greatest historical error by declaring war upon us, killing the young and the elderly, taking old women and children as hostages, cutting open the bellies of the pregnant, and raping women.

You wanted a Nakba like 1948, and by God we will strike upon your heads the greatest catastrophe soon.

You have the last chance of an organized escape to Jordan, as afterwards we will eliminate every enemy and will expel you by force from our sacred land that God had promised us, and commanded to not to let go of no matter what happens.

For that is his promise to us as a reward for our patience with you. Carry your baggage and leave immediately to wherever you came from, for we are coming.

[Note] The term "Nakba" translates to "catastrophe." It refers to the 1948 displacement of many of the Palestinian Arabs. I should add that the article also claimed that the Jewish claim of beheaded babies was fake news. 

The Terrorist Organization Hamas has Committed the Most Heinous Crimes…

On 1 November 2023 the Israeli Defense Forces issued a warning of imminent invasion in Gaza by a Leaflet Drop. The leaflets urged Palestinians to disarm, raise their hands, and follow IDF instructions. Assurances were given that food and water will be provided by the IDF.  The text of the leaflet is:

Israel Defense Forces

The terrorist organization Hamas has committed the most heinous crimes against humanity - the slaughter of the innocent. The rape of women and the kidnapping of children, the elderly and families of all nations and sects - Jews, Christians, Muslims and foreigners; the acts of Hamas terrorists; the contradiction of the Islamic religion.

Hamas = ISIS

Hamas leaders will take advantage of you!

Their families are in safe places while you are going to die because Hamas leaders have started an unwinnable war.

To surrender, proceed as follows

(1) Remove all military equipment from your body.
(2) Raise your hands.
(3) If you can, wave a white cloth.
(4) Act according to the additional instructions you receive from the Israeli army.
(5) There is no need to bring food and water with you. We will take care of this matter.

On 2 November 2023 it was reported that the Israeli army ordered the residents of the al-Shati refugee camp south of Gaza City to evacuate immediately and move south as Tel Aviv expanded its ground offensive in the Palestinian territory. Israeli planes dropped leaflets on the camp demanding the immediate evacuation of its residents.

Time is up. Our forces will bomb Hamas terrorists with overwhelming force in the coming hours. We do not promise that there will be another message. Evacuate immediately.

Israeli aircraft drop warning leaflets on the city

The Israeli Forces surrounded then withdrew from the city of Jenin with over 100 military vehicles. Israeli aircraft dropped warning leaflets on the city and camp of Jenin on 3 November. The leaflets read:

The activities of the Israeli Defense Forces inside the camp were due to operations carried out by Hamas and other organizations... Do not collaborate with them, stay away from terrorism, and live in peace. 

Israeli Leaflets on Gaza City

On 3 November the Israeli forces also claimed to have encircled Gaza. 1.2 million leaflets have been dropped into Gaza warning civilians to flee the battlefield NOW as Israel claims to have Gaza City "encircled." 1.2million leaflets were dropped from jets this afternoon. The pamphlets warned residents to "evacuate ASAP" and declared: "The Gaza District is a battlefield - Your presence in this area is not safe."

The 5 November Leaflet

On 5 November 2023, Footage released by the Israel Defense Forces depicted the army dropping leaflets over Gaza insisting civilians evacuate towards southern Gaza. The Israelis used C-130 Hercules and the leaflet boxes were dropped by parachute with a timer. The boxes burst on the way down. The text on the leaflet is:

To the Residents of Al-Shati Camp.

The Israel Defense Forces calls on you to immediately evacuate from the northern Gaza Strip to the humanitarian zone in southern Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Yunis via the sea road.

The time is up. In the coming hours, our forces will bomb the terrorist group Hamas with overwhelming force.

We cannot promise that there will be another message, so leave immediately.

The Israel Defense Forces

Another 5 November Leaflet

On 5 November Israeli planes dropped Leaflets on Gaza city ordering people to move south through the Salah al-Din Road between 10 am and 2 am. The leaflet also featured an image of the road. The image is not sharp but the leaflet seems to read in part:

To the People of Gaza City and its governorate.
The time has come. The state of Israel asks you to preserve your life, and to evacuate your homes from the areas of fighting.
You must travel from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon.
Take Salah al-Din Road and head to the humanitarian area in the south.
Your presence in the city is very dangerous. You have intense movement throughout the city. There is no safe place. Hamas and the terrorist organizations are exploiting you as human hostages.
Take advantage of the opportunity and immediately leave the path of Saladin.
Israeli Defense Forces

"We will bomb three towers"

We know that the Israelis often make phone calls before attacking a neighborhood. On November 10 the BBC reported on a case where Israeli Intelligence (as they identified themselves) called on 19 October at about 6:30 a.m. to warn of a scheduled bombing.

Mahmoud Shaheen was a called from a private number. The voice addressed Mahmoud by his full name and spoke in flawless Arabic. Rather than give the complete phone call the BBC broke it up into narrative segments. Some of the call seems to sound something like this, according to Mahmoud’s memory:

I'm speaking with you from Israeli intelligence. We will bomb three towers, [apartment blocks] evacuate the surrounding area. I will give you time to evacuate, I do not want anyone to die. There are some things that we see that you don't see. It is an order from people bigger than me and you, and we have an order to bomb. [After the evacuation, the first tower is bombed] This is the tower that we want, stay away. [after the three towers are destroyed] We've finished. You can go back.

During the call, Mahmoud led a mass evacuation of his neighbors, and then watched his neighborhood destroyed. Later that day, as the bombings went on, more phone calls were received pointing out which buildings were targets.

On 14 November a Twitter user stated that Hamas’ grip has loosened enough that scores of civilians have been able to make to make it safety to the south. Terrorists are still shooting at Gazans trying to flee south because they want hostages, but those who have made it to Israeli Defense Forces lines have reportedly been providing valuable intelligence on the whereabouts of Hamas hideouts and weapons stashes. The IDF did a leaflet drop, promising financial compensation for any information on the whereabouts of the 200-plus civilians that were taken by Hamas on October 7. Most Palestinians who replied didn’t want money, just safe passage out of the war zone. One of the alleged conversations between the civilians fleeing south and the Israeli troops are messages telling of rockets hidden under the floor of a mosque, Hamas soldiers in civilian clothes in that tunnel, and what seems to be mention of a tunnel 25 meters deep and maybe 200 meters long.

People in Khan Younis reading leaflets dropped by Israel in a previous leafleting campaign.

On 15 November, Israel dropped leaflets that told civilians to leave four towns, collectively home to more than 100,000 people in peacetime, are now sheltering tens of thousands more who fled other areas. The leaflets said:

The acts of the Hamas terrorist group require the defense forces to act against them in the areas of your residence. For your safety, you need to evacuate your places of residence immediately and head to known shelters.

To the residents of the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Yunis Al-Qarara Governorate, Khuza’a, Bani Suhaila and Abasan.

The positive actions of Hamas and organizations encourage the Israel Defense Forces to act against it in your area of residence. The Israel Defense Forces is not concerned with harming you and your families.

For your safety, you must evacuate your place of residence immediately and go to known shelters.

Anyone who is near terrorists or their facilities puts their lives in danger, and every home used by terrorist organizations will be targeted.

Acting according to Israel Defense Forces instructions prevents you - the civilians - from being harmed.

The Israeli Defense Army

TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTHERN LEBANON REGION

Israel is bordered by several Arab countries and some have taken aggressive action since the start of the operation in Gaza. Rockets have been fired from Lebanon and Syria. Here is a warning leaflet the Israelis dropped on Lebanon:

URGENT STATEMENT

To the residents of the southern Lebanon region,

The operations of the Hezbollah terrorist organization force the Israel Defense Forces to act against it in your areas of residence.

For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and head to the safe areas in northern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces is not interested in harming you or any of your family members.

Anyone who is near Hezbollah terrorists or their facilities. The house that is used by terrorist organizations will be destroyed. It will put your life in danger.

Adhering to IDF instructions will prevent you from being exposed to danger.

On 15 December 2023, Israel Defense Force drones dropped warning leaflets on the Lebanese town of Kfarchouba with the following text:

To the Residents of Southern Lebanon

We would like to inform you that the terrorist Hezbollah is taking advantage of the opportunity to infiltrate your homes, your lands, and the areas around your work and livelihood

They scheme against the State of Israel and exploit your property for their terrorist plans. You must stop this terrorism for your safety and be careful in the region and the surroundings of your work and livelihood to work against the State of Israel and to exploit your property for its terrorist plans.

You must stop this terrorism for your safety by being careful The concealment of Hezbollah members in civilian areas is the real danger, and this is what harms you.

Since October 7, just hours after Hamas' unprecedented massacre and capture of more than 1,400 Israeli civilians, Hezbollah fired guided rockets and shells at the north of Israel. In the middle of December, Hezbollah launched its largest assault on Israel sending dozens of rockets into the northern towns and communities. Since October 7, in retaliation, more than 110 Hezbollah fighters have been killed by Israel.

TO THE LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SYRIAN ARMY

This leaflet was dropped by Israeli aircraft on Syria probably in early November. The image is not identified, but it probably a missile launching site:

To the leaders and members of the Syrian army,

The Palestinian terrorist factions continue to fire missiles from Syrian territory towards Israeli territory. The commanders of the Syrian army, especially the commander of the 112th Brigade, are the ones who bear full responsibility for all acts of sabotage launched from Syrian territory. Any act of sabotage towards the State of Israel will be met with an iron fist, and those who have been warned will be dealt with.

Regarding this leaflet the following description followed on Twitter 18 November 2023:

An [Israeli] terrorist group attacked a military vehicle in the vicinity of the city of Nawa, west of Daraa, which led to the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Sharaf Qais Hassan Ismail and his companion, First Assistant Muhammad Hussein, the two martyrs from the ranks of the 112th Brigade, Fifth Armored Division. Weeks ago, the enemy-captured-Israeli dropped paper leaflets that included threats to the officers and soldiers of the 112th brigade.

TO THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN SYRIA

On 13 December 2023 Israeli forces dropped leaflets near the ceasefire line in the occupied Syrian Golan. The leaflet text was:

TO THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN SYRIA

The Syrian regime continues to abandon you and fails again to prevent terrorist operations from your lands. Launching rockets harms the local population first. Events like this are harmful to restoring your lives.

Naturally, after the period of civil war, you must stop this terrorism from your lands to preserve your safety and so that it does not harm you.

To the commanders and soldiers of the Syrian army…

Ynet News reported that leaflets were dropped over Quneitra on 31 December 2023 warning against attacks on Israel. The Syrian Ain al-Sham center reported that Israeli drones scattered leaflets in the northern countryside of Quneitra in Syria, with messages to those responsible for launching missiles toward Israel. The leaflets said:

To the commanders and soldiers of the Syrian army and military security:

We consider you to be responsible for the terrorist acts coming out of the Syrian lands toward Israel. Continued actions from your lands will harm you. You are responsible for strengthening the forces and barriers operating in your area. We will continue to respond as long as the rockets continue to be fired towards Israel.

The Golan Heights and Tel Kudna…

We do not have a date for this Israeli leaflet to Syria. It bears a map of the Israel-Syria border and I believe the towns of Tel Al-Hara, high point on the Golan Heights, the town of Tel Kudna and a Hezbollah insignia. The text is:

To the leaders and members of the Syrian army!

Time after time, the Syrian army continues to pay the price because of Hezbollah’s incursion into its military sites.

Continued intelligence cooperation with Hezbollah in the region and at the Tel Kudna site will continue to bring you suffering.

You are responsible for your actions and Hezbollah is responsible for your suffering.

Kenitra

Another Israeli leaflet to Syria that we have no date of dissemination for. The leaflet depicts a few men meeting. The Israelis identify them at the bottom of the leaflet. There is also a map of the Golan Heights area. The text is:

To the leaders and members of the Syrian army

We are closely monitoring and aware of the ongoing intelligence cooperation with Hezbollah within Syrian army positions in the region, including near the Israeli border area. Your cooperation with Hezbollah has made you a sacrifice and brought you more harm than benefit. Cooperation with Hezbollah leads to harm!

Major General Samer Al-Dana, head of Syrian intelligence

Tariq Maher - Commander of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in Syria.

The transformation of Hezbollah elements in the region

Kenitra [the former Syrian headquarters for the Golan Heights]

On 23 February 2024, Israeli planes dropped leaflets on Al-Asbah Village in western Al-Qonaitara countryside near the occupied Syrian Al-Golan. The leaflets included a warning to Shady Abd Allah, who collaborates with the Lebanese Hezbollah. The leaflet stated:

Hezbollah continues to exploit the Syrian people and recruit people from the region, we warned Shady Abd Allah from Al-Asbah Village against cooperating with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia.

You are responsible for your own safety and you should stop collaborating with Hezbollah. 

On 19 June 2024, In Al-Qunaitrah province: the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) sources have reported that Israeli aircraft threw leaflets over Daraa and Al-Qunaitrah countryside on the border with the occupied Syrian Golan. The leaflets contain explicit threats to regime forces and collaborators with Hezbollah. The leaflets state:

To the leaders and soldiers of regime forces

Time and again regime forces continue to pay the price for Hezbollah’s presence in their positions. As we have warned before, we will never cease operations if intelligence cooperation with Hezbollah in these positions continues.

This comes hours after targeting two military positions by Israeli airstrikes. Earlier today, SOHR sources reported that an officer with the rank of lieutenant, close to the Lebanese “Hezbollah,” was killed in the targeting of two military positions in a company of the 112th brigade, by an Israeli drone, in Saida village at the border between Al-Qunaitrah and Daraa. The targeting resulted in material damage to both sites.

We can’t accept the presence of military figures violating agreements

On 24 June, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli planes dropped leaflets near the occupied Al-Golan warning people along the Al-Qonaitara countryside. The leaflets depicted a person aiming his weapon at an Israeli scout drone. Earlier, Israeli forces fired two artillery shells on the vicinity of Al-Hamaeiydeiyah town near Al-Ba’ath City in Al-Qunaitrah countryside, close to the border strip with the occupied Syrian Golan. However, no casualties have been reported. The text on the leaflet is:

To the leaders and members of the Syrian army

We attacked the Hamidiya region.
We do not accept a military presence that violates existing agreements.
We do not accept violations in any form.
This is the price!

To the leaders and members of the Syrian army

On 10 July 2024 the IDF distributed leaflets in the Quneitra countryside, warning the Syrian regime against deploying military forces in the designated "demilitarized" zone on the Golan. The leaflet text is:

To the leaders and members of the Syrian army

The 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement clearly states that Israel will not allow the presence of armed military forces in the demilitarized zone. We will attack any military base that violates the agreement. The price is at your expense.

We return to Gaza:

On 27 February 2024, the Israel Defense Forces dropped the above leaflet on the Sheikh Radwan area in Gaza. The text is:

Dear residents of Sheikh Radwan

Your home has been destroyed,
your possessions have been looted,
and your world has been destroyed.

Anyone who needs financial assistance, please contact us at:
972-593952240

YEMEN

Although America and Great Britain did not want to see the Israel-Hamas war spread, the Houthi rebels in Yemen decided to join the war by firing at ships near their coast. The U.S. and U.K. both retaliated with attacks on Yemen. We show a photo above of a young boy in Yemen looking at a sign showing a burning Israeli container ship and the text:

We will attack them in the Red Sea, and at whatever level our hands reach it, we will not hesitate to target it, and let the whole world know about it.

During WWII the Japanese suffered an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The diehards cared nothing about that and continued to fight. Only after a second bomb did they finally give in after Hirohito made a speech to the people. Everyone was shocked at their desire to carry on the war. We see something similar in the Gaza war. The networks show pictures of grieving people on both sides, but especially of the residents of Hamas. Everyone wants the war ended, but apparently not Hamas, who wants to continue with more attacks. The Times of Israel quoted an interview by a high Hamas official.

Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad spoke in an interview with Lebanese channel LBC on 24 October 2023. He hailed the systematic slaughter of civilians in Israel on October 7, vowing in an interview that if given the chance, the Palestinian terror group will repeat similar assaults many times in the future until Israel is exterminated. The remarks by Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, were swiftly shared online by Israeli and Western officials as a vindication of the Jewish state’s resolve to destroy the terror group’s military capabilities in its ongoing war in Gaza, and as proof that no ceasefire can be reached until the threat of additional murderous attacks is removed. Hamad was quoted:

Israel is a country that has no place on our land. We must remove it because it constitutes a security, military, and political catastrophe to the Arab and Islamic nation. We are not ashamed to say this. We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times. The Al-Aqsa Deluge [the name Hamas gave its October 7 onslaught] is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth. Will we have to pay a price? Yes, and we are ready to pay it. We are called a nation of martyrs, and we are proud to sacrifice martyrs.

So, apparently Hamas will continue to attack and murder civilians in Israel and Israel will continue to bomb Gaza into the stone age. Nobody wants to be the first to blink.

On 17 November Israel dropped leaflets once again on Gaza. The message was like those dropped earlier, but there was also a map of Gaza at the bottom. The text is:

To the Residents of Gaza City

Urgent statement

Terrorist organizations have started a war against the State of Israel and Gaza City has become a battlefield.

You must evacuate your homes immediately and go to the south of Wadi Gaza.

You must not return to your homes until further notice from the Israeli Defense Forces.

Public and known shelters in Gaza City must be evacuated.

For your security and safety:

It is forbidden to approach the security wall, and anyone who approaches exposes himself to death. For your safety and the safety of your families. You must evacuate your homes immediately and go to the south of Wadi Gaza. the Israeli Defense Army

Wadi Gaza

There has been some argument about whether Hamas used the Gaza hospitals as a hiding place. On 21 November the Israelis filmed several captured Hamas agents who admitted they used the medical buildings as cover. They felt no guilt. It was the only way to stay alive because they believed the Israelis would not attack the hospitals. Some of the comments were:

One of the captives, who identifies himself as Abdelrahaman Alaa Ibrahim Samur, tells an interrogator that "about a hundred" Hamas operatives “took control” of Rantisi Hospital in Gaza for about five days to "carry out attacks." He also admitted the terrorists "operated from the hospital… because it was a secure place, and no one could locate them there. No one would suspect them. It was better than operating from their homes."

Another captured Hamas fighter says he was inside the al-Shifa hospital, the largest hospital complex in Gaza, where he estimated about 50,000 people were seeking refuge. "The doctors were furious because Hamas operatives and operatives of other terrorist organizations were inside the hospital."

An unnamed Hamas fighter said there were around 100 terrorists at the hospital, including members of Islamic Jihad, the second-largest militant group in Hamas. “They [Hamas operatives] dressed as nursing staff but they were not nurses or doctors, Hamas operatives dressed as medical staff in order to blend in within the hospital wards, even in the ICU!”

A third man, who says his name is Hamuda Riad Asad Shamalah, tells the interviewer he was holed up in the Red Crescent building in Gaza with his family for "about three weeks." He estimated around 40,000 people were in the complex, with about half in the main building where he was with his wife and three daughters. Hamas members hid rockets and guns by wrapping them in mattresses “on a daily basis,” adding that the terrorists used tactics of fear to carry out their activities with impunity. "No one can tell them no. Who could do so?" he said. "If you would dare to confront a Hamas member, he may kill you." Hamas chose the Red Crescent as a base of operations because "the sheer number of people in the place served as a protection for them." He described the Red Crescent building and al-Shifa hospital as "the only places that they could use to hide."

Fake AI-Generated Photographs.

 

On 23 November the Washington post published an article about fake photographs produced by artificial intelligence. I am not implying that all recent war pictures from Gaza and the Ukraine are faked, just that apparently there are a great number of them so you can no longer believe what you see. The article said in part:

ADOBE STOCK, an online marketplace where photographers and artists can upload images for paying customers to download and publish elsewhere, last year became the first major stock image service to embrace AI-generated submissions. That move came under fresh scrutiny after a photorealistic AI-generated image of an explosion in Gaza, taken from Adobe's library, cropped up on several websites without any indication that it was fake.

SHUTTERSTOCK, another major stock image service, has partnered with OpenAI to let the San Francisco-based AI company train its Dall-E image generator on Shutterstock's vast image library. In turn, Shutterstock users can generate and upload images created with Dall-E, for a monthly subscription fee. A search of Shutterstock’s site for "GAZA" returned more than 130 images labeled as AI-generated, though few of them were as photorealistic as those on Adobe Stock. Shutterstock did not return requests for comment.

The actress Rosie O'Donnell recently shared on Instagram an image of a Palestinian mother carting three children and their belongings down a garbage-strewn road, with the caption "Mothers and children - stop bombing Gaza." When a follower commented that the image was an AI fake, O'Donnell replied "no its not." But she later deleted it.

On 24 November 2023 Israel and Hamas began a four-day cease fire and exchange of hostages and prisoners. Apparently, many Palestinians in South Gaza started to return to their homes in the north thinking the war was over but Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets telling them the war was not over and to stay where they were. The leaflet text was:

To the Residents of the Gaza Strip

The war is not over yet!

The humanitarian pause is temporary, and the northern Gaza Strip is a dangerous war zone and no movement is permitted.

For your safety, you must remain in the humanitarian zone located in the south of the Gaza Strip and not go to the north of the Strip.

You can only go from north to south via Salah al-Din Road.

Returning to the north from the South is forbidden and very dangerous!!! Your fate and the fate of your families are in your hands, make the right choice and stay in southern Gaza, or move from north to south in Gaza.

The Israeli Defense Forces

The Israeli Evacuation Map  

After a brief ceasefire to swap hostages and prisoners, Israel resumed the attack on Gaza on 1 December 2023. Israel said it had published an Evacuation Zone map to advise Gazans of safe areas for their evacuation. The map was placed on a website, on social networks, and was being distributed by the army in Gaza. It divides the territory of the Gaza Strip into areas according to recognizable areas to enable the residents of Gaza to orient themselves and understand the instructions.  

An Israeli Leaflet dropped on 1 December 2023

To the residents of Al-Qarara, Khirbet Al-Khuza’a, Abasan and Bani Suhaila
You must evacuate immediately and go to
Shelters in the Rafah area.
The city of Khan Yunis is a dangerous combat zone.
You have been warned.

Israel justified the resumption of combat operations against Hamas after accusing the Palestinian militant group of firing rockets at Israel and reneging on a deal to free all women held as hostages, violating their temporary truce agreement. There was also an attack by two Palestinians on Israelis waiting at a bus stop on 30 November that killed three Israelis and left eight wounded. Hamas immediately claimed credit for the attack. They could have denied responsibility, so it almost seemed they wanted the war to return.

About the same time, the Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli Defense Forces accompanied by bulldozers, have been deployed to several neighborhoods in the city of Tulkarm in the West Bank, and are dropping flyers demanding that wanted persons turn themselves in.

The Deluge…

On 4 December it was reported that the Israelis dropped leaflets using a Quranic verse. This does not look like an Israeli leaflet; it does not have some of the usual features. It has the look of a black operation by Hamas or maybe a drop by radical Israeli civilians. On 7 December 2023 the Jerusalem Post said I was wrong. It wrote, "The IDF dropped leaflets over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, citing a Quranic verse about how the wicked in the times of Noah were swept away by the biblical flood, according to Palestinian reports. "Then the Flood overtook them, while they persisted in wrongdoing," read the leaflets, which also included a Star of David and the emblem of the IDF. The quote is taken from verse 14 in Surah Al-'Ankabut (the Spider), the 29th chapter of the Quran. The leaflets were linked by some social media users to reports that the IDF intends to flood the tunnels under Gaza with seawater to force Hamas above-ground. Oddly, I saw news films of the Israelis flooding some tunnels about a week earlier. My original translations of the text was:

But the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) Sin.

On 5 December, after days of ordering residents to flee the area, Israeli forces occupied one fourth of Khan Younis and dropped new leaflets with instructions to stay inside shelters and hospitals during the assault:

Don’t go out. Going out is dangerous. You have been warned.

As Israel continues to advance into Gaza, for the first time the operation seems to be working. On 7 December 2023 it was reported that Dozens of Hamas terrorists surrendered to Israeli forces in northern Gaza. The group turned themselves in after being pushed back by the advancing Israel Defense Forces near Jabalya. It is the largest group to surrender to the Israeli Defense Forces since Israel began its incursion into the Palestinian enclave.

Lions and Rabbits

In WWII, the Americans tried to get the enemy to come out and fight so they could be destroyed. They leafleted the Germans with, “Where is the Luftwaffe?” trying the get the German fighters to take to the air and dogfight. They leafleted the Japanese with, “Where is your Navy?” trying to get their Navy in the spirit of Samurai attack the American fleets where they were now outnumbered. In Gaza, on 10 December, the Israelis allegedly use a Koranic quote for the second time, trying to get Hamas to come up out of their tunnels and be destroyed. The leaflet is very basic accusing Hamas of being like rabbits, hiding deep in their holes underground:

Lions, but in war rabbits.

The New York Times said in an article titled "Israel takes new tack on Battlefield" that they were using a new intelligence unit in real time targeting of Hamas. The article said in part:

Maps, pamphlets, transmitters, phones, video cameras, walkie-talkies, notebooks, and computers. Some of the documents described extensive information about Hamas tactics and military formations. They retrieved journals that Hamas assailants were carrying. The information is being analyzed and quickly forwarded to soldiers battling Hamas. The Israelis have made small adjustments to the way they have been fighting Hamas.

On 14 December the New York Post depicted a film of 70 Hamas fighters surrendering and walking out of a Gaza hospital and laying down their weapons. The caption was:

Hamas Fighters Surrendering
The Jerusalem Post

A video shows dozens of suspected Hamas terrorists laying down their weapons, after being captured by Israeli troops at a northern Gaza hospital after days of shelling. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released the footage on showing a throng of men walking single-file with their hands up through an area piled high with rubble under the watchful eye of soldiers. The next portion of the recording shows alleged Hamas terrorists, now with their shirts off, dropping their weapons, including assault-style rifles and ammunition, on the ground.

Interrogations of the captured operatives already provided valuable intelligence for the Israeli military and aids in operational activities. Apparently, the Hamas fighters lost contact with the terror group's leadership, leaving them with no option but to lay down their weapons and surrender to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

On the same day, Israel dropped reward leaflets across Gaza promising huge rewards to anyone who would provide information on the locations of senior Hamas leaders hiding in the Strip. The flyers state that:

$400,000 is being offered for information on Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and $300,000 for his brother Muhammad Sinwar. A lower reward, worth $200,000, will be awarded by the Israel Defense Forces to those who provide information on the location of Rafa Salama, the Khan Yunis Brigade commander; for the location of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing, the army will give $100,000. “Confidentiality is guaranteed,” and a phone number is provided to call.

The leaflet depicts a Hamas soldier (“Hamas” on his collar) with a head that looks like a tornado. The leaflet says in part:

Oh, People of Gaza

Hamas has lost its strength. "The could not fry an egg." The end of Hamas is near.

For your future health, arrest Hamas members and give information about people who have brought destruction and devastation to the Gaza Strip. You will receive a reward.

Think about your future, confidentiality guaranteed.
Contact phone number: +972546109777+ | Telegram - @IDFforGAZA
Israel Defense Army

Allegedly one Hamas response was, "There is no time to fry eggs. Our resistance fighters are busy grilling Merkavas." [Author’s note] The Merkava is Israel’s main battle tank. Current iterations of this tank are considered broadly equivalent to the capabilities of the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2, and the Challenger 2.

The largest Hamas-built tunnel in Gaza

As the war went on, Israel discovered bigger, wider, and longer Hamas tunnels and more opening to the surface than expected. On 15 December, the Israeli military discovered the largest Hamas-built tunnel in Gaza just a quarter mile from a crossing between Israel and northern Gaza. While Israel was aware of the vast tunnel network and has discovered more than 800 exits since the start of the war, the full extent of the underground system is still unknown. The tunnel is up to 164 feet deep at some points and two-and-a-half miles long, the Israeli military said. The building of the massive labyrinth was overseen by Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of the 7 October mastermind Yahya Sinwar. The tunnel is wide enough to allow vehicles and heavy equipment to travel through it and equipped in sections with railroad-like tracks, electricity, and ventilation systems.

Israeli Propaganda Banknotes Offering rewards for Hostage Information

Fatma Khaled wrote in the Messenger News of 15 December that the Israel Defense Forces are dropping counterfeit cash in Gaza, asking residents to provide information about hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a real financial reward. The fake 200 Shekel bill bills, part of a multi-faceted strategy of using money to extract information from residents of Gaza, were dropped on the neighborhoods of Al-Darraj and Al-Tuffah, a district in Gaza City, according to photos of the bills posted by Sapir Lipkin, an N12 News reporter:

To the residents of Al-Darraj and Al-Tuffah. The rule of Hamas will not last much longer. Save yourself the damage caused by Hamas. Your future is in your hands. This is your last chance to provide us with any information about the abductees, thus guaranteeing yourself a better future and a financial reward.

On the other side of the banknote, the IDF urged residents to report information to Israeli forces on the ground or by calling the telephone number written on the fake bill.

The text on the back says in part:

You can contact our forces present in the field or by using the number on
WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal
972556837798

If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately. Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in providing security.

Hamas "Honeypot" photo
IDF Spokesperson's Unit

On 17 December there was a report that Iran used a group of Hebrew-speaking women in the northern city of Mashad to send sexually explicit images to Israeli soldiers in attempts to access information. the young women were trained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, were fluent in Hebrew, and contacted the soldiers over social media, sending them explicit videos and photos to gain information. The names and profiles were fake, but the photos and videos that were sent were real. Many had the women wearing hats, heavy make-up, revealing clothes, or, in some cases, nude. Some 22 different profiles were reportedly created. Iran executes young women for perceived immodesty, but simultaneously exploit Iranian women to entice men on social networks.

In 2022, the Israel Defense Forces uncovered and foiled a Hamas network posing as young women on social networks to honeypot IDF soldiers. The profiles approached Israelis on Telegram and various social networks that dealt with soccer and dating and tried to implant spyware under the guise of a puzzle app.

On 19 December, the head of a Gaza hospital admitted to being a senior Hamas commander and detailed how the terror group transformed the medical site into an operational hub that once housed a kidnapped Israeli soldier. Ahmad Kahlot, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya, made his taped confession to the Israeli security service Shin Bet after his arrest during the raid on the facility in northern Gaza. In a video of his interrogation released on X on the 19th, Kahlot, said he joined Hamas in 2010 and held a rank equivalent to a brigadier general. Kahlot revealed that about 16 hospital staffers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and clerks, were also members of Hamas’ notorious military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

On 25 December the Times of Gaza said this leaflet was dropped in Al-Bureij:

URGENT WARNING!

To the residents of Bureij and the neighborhoods of Al-Badr, Al-Rawda, Al-Nuzha, North Coast, Al-Safa, Al-Buraq, Al-Zahra, Al-Bawadi, and Al-Basma from the south of the valley, Gaza and everyone who resides in blocks 2220, 2210, 660, 666, 661, 662, 664, 2315, 2316, 2317, and in blocks 2221, 2225, 2230, 2225, 2224, 2223, 2222, and 2221.

The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone!
For your safety, the IDF urges you to immediately evacuate from this area.
Go to the well-known shelters in Deir al-Balah or to the humanitarian area in Tal al-Sultan via
Al-Bahr (Al-Rashid) Street.
You have been warned! The Israeli Defense Army

On 2 January Israeli forces allegedly dropped this leaflet. One viewer commented, "Flee block 2347 and 2348 because they are going to clear out Hamas and tunnels from there." The text is:

URGENT WARNING

To those in the neighborhoods of Ain-Jalut, Al-Shuhada, and Al-Farouq and in Blocks 2347 and 2348.

The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone!
The Israel Defense Force is operating aggressively in your area of residence!!!
For your safety, the IDF urges you to immediately evacuate from this area,
and go to the well-known shelter in Deir al-Balah.
You have been warned!
The Israeli Defense Army

Hamas is like an owl…

On 5 January Yahoo News reported that Israeli forces dropped leaflets on displaced people and a refugee camp in Khan Yunis. The Arabic message on the leaflets translates to English as:

Hamas is like an owl; it only looks for destruction.

In Palestinian mythology, owls are connected to death and destruction.

On 6 January 2024, Israel dropped warning of aggressive actions that would take in or around Khan Yunis:

URGENT WARNING

To those present in block 2348 in the Al–Shuhada neighborhood, blocks 2325 and 2347 in the Ain Jalut and Al–Farouq neighborhoods. Blocks 662 in the Al–Salam neighborhood, block 2322 in the Al–Yarmouk neighborhood, block 2324 in the Bisan neighborhood and Block 2326 in the Al– Shuhada neighborhood.

The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone!
The Israel Defense Force is operating aggressively in your area of residence!!!
For your safety the Israeli Defense Force urges you to immediately evacuate from
this area and go to the Known shelter in Deir Al–Balah.
You have been warned.
The Israeli Defense Agency

A second Israeli leaflet dropped on 6 January says:

URGENT WARNING

To those in the neighborhoods Al-Amal, Sidra, Al-Basateen, Al-Farouk, and Ain Jalut 2343 2340 2339 2232, and in the blocks 2348 2347, And to those in the neighborhoods north of this area in blocks 2245 2244 2242 2240

The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone.
For your safety, the IDF urges you to evacuate immediately and head to the
well-known shelter in Deir al-Balah.
The IDF will inform you when you can return to your homes.
You have been warned.
The Israeli Defense Army

This Israel-Hamas war seems to be spreading. Both Lebanon and Syria have fired some rockets and drones toward Israel and has received return fire. Houthi militants in Yemen have attacked shipping in the area and after some weeks of just defending the attacks on shipping, the US retaliated on 11 January 2024:

A U.S.-led military coalition struck Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen on Thursday, a dramatic escalation after the group ignored repeated warnings from the Biden administration and other governments to stop attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea. They took out Houthi air defenses before targeting radars and facilities used to store and launch unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, the person said.

The operation follows weeks of hostility as the Houthis, protesting Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, have disrupted global trade by making the vital passage a dangerous place for ships to transit. The group, which functions as the de facto government in parts of Yemen, has carried out at least 27 attacks since November, officials have said, leading to repeated altercations as the United States and partner nations have surged warships into the region to protect against the incoming fire.

Oh, people of Khan Yunis,

On 18 January this leaflet was dropped at Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Yunis. Israel has claimed that they have found passages in the hospitals leading to the underground tunnels and some Hamas fighters dressed as doctors. Israel also published a map of the hospital area and claimed that Hamas carried out rocket launches from the hospital using doctors and patients as human shields. The final line is a quote from the Koran. The text says in part:

Oh, people of Khan Yunis,

Disavow Hamas.

They are shooting from inside the hospital and putting you in danger. Hamas is reckless of you and your future.

“It is you…It turns them”

An Israel depiction of the rocket launches taken from their radar screens.

69 Hostages on Two Sides of an Israeli Leaflet.

On 20 January it was reported that Israel dropped leaflets in the Rafah area with the photos and names in Arabic of 69 hostages, along with a call to the displaced residents:

Do you want to go back home? Please provide info if you recognize any of them.

Hamas commanders…

On 24 January 2024 it was reported that the Israeli Defense Forces dropped leaflets in Khan Younes that read:

Hamas commanders, look around you, we are coming.

Urgent Warning!

On 25 January 2023 Israel dropped these leaflets on Khan Yunis.

107.108.109.110.111.112 - To all those in the blocks in the neighborhoods of Al-Nasr Al-Amal and Khan Yunis camp.

You are in a dangerous combat zone.

For your safety - the Israel Defense Force calls on you to evacuate immediately to the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, via Al-Bahr Street.

The IDF is working hard in your area of residence to destroy the terrorist Hamas movement.

You have been warned!
The Israeli Defense Army

The New York Post reported on 3 February 2024:

The Israeli Air Force dropped newspaper-style warnings to residents in central Gaza, calling for them to "wake up" to Hamas’ wrongdoing – while the health ministry linked to the terror group claims the Palestinian death toll is now over 27,000.

The leaflets, written in Arabic and titled “The Reality,” called for Palestinians in central Gaza to "wake up" to the fact that "Hamas kills [their] loved ones," the Times of Israel reported Saturday, citing the Kan public broadcaster.

"They destroyed everything good, beat you and tortured you, abandoned your families in the streets, and they are hiding in tunnels," the leaflet said. "Are you silent? All this is just a drop in the ocean. Your future is in your hands."

"They killed your children, destroyed everything good, abandoned your families in the ruins while they were protected in tunnels, burned the people’s money…and you are still silent?" the papers demanded. 

On 12 February the Israelis dropped these leaflets. The text is:

Your suffering stems from the activity of militants in the region, and therefore the Israeli army intervenes to deal with terrorism, whatever its type.

Avoid terrorist activities. Save those who love you.

For your safety.

The Israeli Army

Telegram: Jeningasm

On 15 February the Israeli army on threatened a deadly military operation in the West Bank city of Nablus. Israeli forces dropped leaflets on the Nablus refugee camp warning residents of a military offensive in the area.

The fate of your city is in your hands. Do not follow the path of the Jenin camp.

The Israeli army staged several military raids inside the Jenin refugee camp in the past weeks, killing a dozen Palestinians.

On the same day leaflets were dropped over two other camps:

To the dear residents of Al-Shaboura Camp and Yabna Camp.

May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you. Are you tired of fighting? Hamas and the rest of the factions have brought you to hell. The Gaza strip is destroyed, the people are dying. Let us create together a better future for both peoples. The war and bloodshed are of no use.

The Area official of the Israeli Security Service

CAPTAIN HOSSAM

Telegram @ShabakShalom - 054-7112321

The Reality – Issue 3

The same newspaper that was dropped on 3 February was dropped in a later edition on 20 February. Israel's 'The Reality' Arabic-language paper claims to convey 'the truth' to the people of Gaza. The paper, dropped on Tell es-Sultan district in Rafah, southern Gaza, communicated to locals that Hamas has been “stealing humanitarian aid meant for civilians.” The newspaper showcases how the cost of living in the Gaza Strip “has reached record heights in the last few weeks,” with the prices of every product at least doubling. It used multiple line graphs to detail price hikes in essential goods. The publication, which claims to be the third edition in a series dropped on Rafah, also instructs Gazans to reach out to the dedicated channels to report any information about the Israelis held hostage by Hamas. The paper claimed that since the previous edition encouraged locals to “contribute to saving human lives,” the number of reports reaching the dedicated call center rose by eight times compared to the week before.

The Reality – Issue 2

On 27 February the website The New Arab published an article titled “How Israel uses pamphlets as psychological warfare in Gaza.” The story mentioned an Arabic newspaper Alwaq'a— Arabic for Reality. We show the newspaper above. The article says its aim is to incite distrust toward officials in Gaza and entice civilians to become spies for Israel. The newspaper's first issue was dropped by drones in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. The second issue was dropped in Rafah city in the south of Gaza. Each issue of Alwaq'a featured a WhatsApp-linked number and a Telegram channel called “NewGaza24.”

A woman was quoted as saying:

Israel seems to be obsessed with psychological warfare. Honestly, they don't need to — we're already emotionally drained. On December 29, they killed eight members of my family, including my uncle and his wife and children. We have nothing left to cry over. Their psychological warfare doesn't matter anymore.

A second woman was quoted as saying:

On February 20, I received a message on my phone. The message was written in Arabic and read: “Women represent not half of society, but its entirety. To the courageous women of Gaza: You are heroic, mujahidat women capable of halting the devastation and turmoil in Gaza. Your strength can secure the future for the children of Gaza. Please assist us in gathering any information regarding the hostages and imprisoned soldiers. Reach out to us at 92756833 733 via call or message on WhatsApp or Telegram.”

A picture of several boys holding leaflets was also in the article. The text is partially blocked but what can be read seems to say:

To the residents of Rafah

Because of Hamas' use of your homes for smuggling and storing military stubbornness, the Israeli Defense Forces will attack terrorist elements through tunnels and tunnels under which the smuggling tunnels pass in the area between Al-Bahr Street and the Egyptian border.

All residents of the following neighborhoods:

Al-Shawth Camp - Yabna Camp - Block 0 - Brazil Camp –

Al-Shuaraa neighborhood - Qeshta - Al-Salam neighborhood

Those who have not yet evacuated their homes must vacate their homes immediately beyond Al-Bahr Street, from the moment of receipt of this statement until further notice.

For your safety, The Israel Defense Forces

After a recent riot where hundreds of Gazans surrounded food trucks causing the IDF troops to open fire, the Jerusalem Post printed an article by Tzvi Joffre titled “IDF drops leaflets urging Gazans not to loot aid trucks, cites Quran.” On 4 March 2024. The article said that The IDF dropped leaflets  urging Palestinians in northern Gaza not to loot aid trucks traveling through the area, days after dozens of people were killed as crowds rushed an aid convoy to loot it. The leaflet quoted verse 29 from Surah An-Nisa of the Quran, and a hadith (a saying or teaching of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad recorded by his companions) sourced to Abu Hurayra, a companion of Muhammad. Some of the leaflet text is:

Oh, People of the northern Gaza Strip, to contribute to improving humanitarian conditions and aid access to the northern Gaza Strip, make way for humanitarian aid and refrain from looting, theft, and acts of chaos so that food reaches the needy and poor throughout the region.

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, God Almighty said: Oh, you who have believed, do not consume your property among yourselves unjustly, unless it is commerce by your mutual consent.

And remember the words of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace. Every Muslim is sacred to another Muslim, his wealth, his honor, and his blood.

Israel Defense Army

 

On 7 March, the Watan site reported on the latest Israeli leaflet dropped over Gaza. This one had a short message:

Feed the hungry and speak kindly, accept fasting, forgiven sins, and delicious iftar.

The True Opening

A Star of David

Opening New Horizons for the People of Gaza

[Author’s note]: Ifṭar is the evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan at the time of adhan (call to prayer) of the Maghrib prayer.

On 8 March 2024, Israel distributed a rather wordy leaflet to the West Bank's residents warning them against engaging in any anti-Israel activities during the blessed month of Ramadan. The leaflet said in part:

The people of the region,

The situation that the region is going through is difficult for everyone. You have all seen what ISIS and Hamas did to innocent citizens near Gaza. Whoever kills and burns children and women and beheads them is contrary to all the teachings of the true Islamic religion, as God Almighty said in the Qur’an:

"Whoever kills a soul for other than manslaughter or corruption on earth, it is as if he killed all of mankind, and whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved all of mankind."

The State of Israel will not allow ISIS, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad to raise its head in the region, and we will strike with an iron hand anyone who tries to harm the security of the State of Israel. We announce it clearly. We will not have mercy on anyone who tries, thinks, incites, or writes against Israel or participates in any march or event. Anyone who thinks that we will be lenient has made a mistake.

This is a clear and frank warning: stay away from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, do not provide them with any support, do not write about them, do not invite them to the mosques, and do not waste permits from all members of your family. The month of Ramadan is a month of contemplation, drawing closer to God, humility, self-control, and atonement for bad deeds. Spend your time with your families, take care of your children, and build your future.

Get closer to God and do more good deeds and good deeds. I ask God Almighty to accept your good deeds and to return them to you and your family members.

Happy new year and may God make Ramadan Kareem to you.

[Author’s note]: Al-Kareem is one of the 99 names of Allah, and it means the most generous. So the Meaning of Ramadan Kareem is Ramadan the Generous [Month].

On 9 March the Israelis dropped another issue of their newspaper "The Reality" on Gaza. This one used an old theme of the leaders of as movement feasting while the common people starve. We see this in almost every war where the leaders of another country are attacked for their greed and gluttony. The newspaper features on their front page a picture of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and his predecessor Khaled Mashal seated at a richly laden buffet table with the caption "Happy Ramadan" juxtaposed against another image of a Gazan family seated around a table in a dilapidated apartment accompanied by the caption "Happy Ramadan?" Some of the text in issue 6 is:

Attention! This paper reveals the truth only, nothing else.

Blessed Ramadan

Call us, and we will meet your needs if you benefit us with information. Ramadan will be very different if you get in touch with us.

Soon the days of prayer, holiness, charity, and God forbid violence and evil will begin. It is the holy month of Ramadan that is imminent. If you want to celebrate the great occasion in safety and in the arms of your families, call the communications center we have established and provide any information you have about the kidnapped Israeli hostages.

On 11 March, the Middle East Eye, reported that The Israeli army has dropped leaflets over the town of Wazzani, near the eastern side of the Lebanese-Israeli border. Wazzani has been under regular Israeli fire over the past weeks as border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel continued. The leaflets said in part:

Resident of the South, Hezbollah risks your life, the life of your families and your homes. Hezbollah is bringing its members and weapons depots to your neighborhoods.

The Jerusalem Post said that on 12 March 2024 Hezbollah fired over a hundred rockets at Israel's North. Israel responded with several strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon after alarms sounded in the Galilee and the Golan Heights as two barrages of at least 100 rockets in total were launched at northern Israel on Tuesday morning.

Hezbollah said it fired these Katyusha rockets in response to Israeli bombardment of the Bekaa region on 8 March. The IDF responded by attacking rocket launch posts in Lebanon that had fired towards the North. A military compound in the Khiam area was struck, and terrorist infrastructure in the Bint Jbeil area was also struck. The IDF reported that fighter jets struck three launch posts that fired toward the Golan Heights. Additionally, the IDF reported that fighter jets attacked two Hezbollah compounds in the near Bekaa deep in Lebanon in response to the earlier rocket fire towards the north of Israel.

Urgent Warning

On 18 March 2024, The Middle East Eye reported that The Israeli military dropped leaflets ordering Palestinians in west Gaza City to flee south after launching a ground assault in the area. The leaflets addressed residents in the Rimal neighborhood and those living or staying near al-Shifa hospital, telling them to head towards the "humanitarian zone" in Mawasi. The leaflet text is:

Urgent warning

To all those present and displaced in the Al-Rimal neighborhood and the displaced in Al-Shifa Hospital and its surroundings, you are in a dangerous combat zone! The IDF is working forcefully in your area of ​​residence and presence to destroy the terrorist structure.

To preserve your security, the Israeli Defense Forces urges you to evacuate immediately westward via Al-Rashid Street and then head south to the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, Rasheed Street

The Israeli Defense Army

Israeli troops raided the compound of Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital early on Monday, saying they killed 20 gunmen, in an operation Palestinian health authorities said caused multiple casualties and set off a fierce fire in one of the buildings.

The Israeli military said soldiers and special forces had conducted a "precise operation" based on intelligence that the hospital was being used by senior Hamas leaders and were fired upon when they entered the compound. "Twenty terrorists have been eliminated at the Shifa hospital thus far in various engagements, and dozens of apprehended suspects are currently in questioning." The military issued footage of the overnight operation showing soldiers in the hospital compound engaged in gunfights.

Military Strategy Magazine published an article on 19 March 2024 titled “Innocents and War: Contemporary Reflections, Permanent Dilemmas,” by Stephen J. Cimbala. He mentioned the Israel-Hamas war:

The goals of insurgents, terrorists or other unconventional fighters who resort to violence are important in determining their willingness to tolerate atrocity. In some instances, atrocity is a deliberate form of communication of unmitigated hatred for targeted enemies as well as a message of absolute determination to persevere in a cause regardless of the consequences to third parties. Both ISIS and Hamas have in modern times combined demonstrative acts of cruelty against civilians with video messaging in support of their respective causes. For example, Hamas attackers against Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 videotaped and broadcast their atrocities in real time, shocking public conscience and dominating the global news cycle. For Hamas and other terrorists, the taking of hostages provides a bargaining chip for future negotiations as well as a potential instrument of influence over policy debates in enemy countries. In responding to Hamas, Israel has found itself simultaneously seeking to eliminate the Hamas organization as an effective military fighting force while, at the same time, avoiding gratuitous death and destruction to civilians in Gaza. Iran and Hamas made Israel’s attempt to walk this fine line as difficult as possible by using civilians in Gaza as human shields and by concealing weapons and command centers in hospitals, schools, and other civilian infrastructure. As well, Hamas and Iran devised a global campaign of anti-war demonstrations, against Israel’s response to Hamas’ attacks, that received widespread media coverage and increased American and other governments’ pressures on Israel for more discriminant military operations, for cease fires, and for humanitarian relief for civilians trapped in Gaza.

 

On 2 April, a Twitter post announced that the Israel Defense Forces dropped leaflets over Gaza showing pictures of captured Hamas terrorists in Shifa, pictures of Sinwar, Dief, and the other top leaders with a phone number to call if anyone had enough of them and wanted to give info about them. The text is:

REALITY
Notice!
The newspaper only reads the truth and nothing else.
Issue eight.
This is what these resistance heroes did in Al-Shifa Hospital?

On the advent of the blessed and virtuous month of Ramadan, we wish you a blessed Ramadan. The matter in the blessed month of Ramadan is not limited to acts of worship and religious duties only but benefiting from the month of fasting and prayer in other very important factors. In addition to being a month of study, it is also a month of change. May God help you to change and transform Gaza Hashem. From a stronghold of terrorism to an oasis of comfort and reassurance.

Season's greetings

WANTED / WANTED / WANTED

+972 529647837 Tufanisgo

Israel Hostages Depicted Again

There seems to have been a long period where Israel and Hamas just stared at each other while Iran had Hezbollah fire missiles into Israel and in return Israel bombed the Iranian embassy in Syria. On 12 April 2024. there was a report of leaflets being dropped. This sounds a lot like the leaflets depicting the hostages that were dropped previously. However, at that time Israel believed there were 69 hostages alive. The new leaflets include a phone number that can be contacted via Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal messaging apps. There is also a link to a website that displays similar information. There were just 35 hostages depicted on this leaflet and Israel has said privately that they believe Hamas has killed all of them already. This might be why Hamas has yet to respond to the proposal for a deal to release hostages in Gaza. The IDF distributed flyers in the Tel Al Sultan area of ​​Rafah, calling on the local population to pass on information about the abductees, according to reports on Israeli media. The flyers, which were scattered from the air, displayed photos of the abductees. The caption attached to the photos read:

Look carefully around you. The hostages may be near you. If you want to protect your families and secure your future, don't hesitate to give us information about the abductees or who holds them.

 

THE IRON DOME
The Washington Post
Not all of Israel’s defense systems are included.
Sources: CSIS, Rafael, Army Recognition.

On 14 April, Iran retaliated against the Israeli attack on its embassy in Styria by launching about 300 missiles toward Israel. Most people thought this would be a devastating attack, but the Israeli "Iron Dome" anti-aircraft system is said to have destroyed about 99% of the incoming missiles. That would imply that about 3 of the missiles got through. The picture of the defense system is depicted above, courtesy of the Washington Post. Now the world waits to see if Israel will retaliate by attacking Iran. The Iranians hope not and said as far as they were concerned this episode is even and over. Israeli said, "We will exact a price on Iran, in the manner and at the time that is right for us."

On 15 April 2024 the Israeli Defense Forces dropped leaflets on Qalqilya, This seems to be about Palistinians somehow sneaking into Israel to work. Apparently, they are being warned to stop it. The message is:

Abu Ali Express

We know that you're infiltrating the territory of Israel to work even though it's forbidden.

What you don't know is that we know the one who is smuggling you. Think twice.

Before we take your house.

The 49th Tiger Battalion. 

Refrain From Returning North!

On 16 April 2024, the Israelis dropped leaflets in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, stating that the northern Wadi Gaza (“Gaza Valley”) area was a “dangerous combat zone” and warning people to stay away from the area.

Urgent warning

To all those in the south of Wadi Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces announces to you that the area north of Wadi Gaza is considered a dangerous combat zone.

The Israel Defense Forces continues to fight against terrorist organizations.

Every other piece of information that is published urging you to return north of Wadi Gaza puts your security and safety at risk. Therefore, refrain from returning north!

The Israeli Defense Army

On 18 April, CNN reported that Israel has said for weeks it is going to launch a ground operation into the last corner of the territory that has not seen fierce ground fighting, despite intense opposition from its closest allies. The military had planned to start dropping leaflets calling for an evacuation on the evening of 15 April but called the operation off after the Iranian attack. The war cabinet is now focused on weighing up options for retaliation but the government has insisted the Rafah operation will still go ahead.

The genuine Israeli 20 Shekel banknote. The 20 Shekel note’s design is red and has an image of Rachel Bluwstein — known in Hebrew as Rachel the poetess — and the back of the bill contains words from her poem Kinneret, known in English as the Sea of Galilee, alongside a picture of the shore of the same lake.

The Israeli Propaganda Note

It was also reported on 18 April that Israeli forces dropped fake 20-shekel bills in Deir al-Balah in the center of the Gaza Strip, and on them appears a portrait of Yahya Sinwar as a rat. It says.

Your money is with Yahya Al-Sinwar

He spends your money for himself.

Notice that the Twitter message says that the Hamas leader is depicted as a rat.  And I find that ironic because in WWII the Nazis always depicted the Jews as rats scurrying along the streets close to the building walls. How odd that now the Israelis use the same sort of image. After I wrote the above comment a friend of mine with a son fighting in the Israeli army thought I misinterpreted the rat feature. He said:

About rat face, I don’t think there is any connection with the Nazi propaganda. I think the Israelis are referring to Sinwar’s life in the tunnels like rats in sewers.

Although we have not seen the propaganda, on 22 April 2024, the Israelis dropped leaflets on south Lebanon warning residents that Hezbollah is endangering their lives. A drone dropped the Leaflets Monday over al-Wazzani, a small Lebanese village in the Hasbaya District. The text is:

To the residents of south Lebanon, Hezbollah is putting your lives and the lives of your families at risk. Hezbollah's weapons and members are entering your residential areas. From the yard of your homes at the expense of your families.

At least 312 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of cross-border violence on October 8, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also including 53 civilians, according to one estimate. On the Israeli side, 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed, according to the latest official figures.

Perhaps due to the activity from Hezbollah the Israel Defense Forces have inaugurated a new northern Mountain Brigade, the first major reorganization for the IDF since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and one suggesting Jerusalem sees the need to reinforce its northern defenses against Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in the area. The new brigade, established in March, will operate in a unique area in the north along the borders of Lebanon and Syria, covering the highest mountain on which the IDF operates, Mount Hermon, nestled in the northern-most parts of Israel and sandwiched between Syria and Lebanon, and down to around Mount Dov, which lies southwest of Hermon on Lebanon’s southern border. According to the IDF, the brigade will come under the command of the 210th division.

An Alleged Hamas Propaganda Poster

We seldom see Hamas propaganda. It was alleged on "X" that Hamas releases a poster on 23 April with the caption, "On the Road to Jerusalem," showing a Hamas paraglider and a fighter on a motorcycle, an Iraqi Islamic Resistance drone flying, Houthi missiles hitting a ship, and a Hezbollah anti-tank guided missile destroying Israeli tanks, all heading toward al-Aqsa.

[Note]: Al-Aqsa, also known as al-Masjid al-Aqṣa, is the compound of Islamic religious buildings that sit atop the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It includes the Dome of the Rock, many mosques, prayer halls, and other religious structures. The name "Al-Aqsa" means "The Farthest Mosque" in Arabic, and it holds great significance in Isla. I should add that although we are told this is a poster, I also see comments that it was used on an electronic game they can play in Gaza.

On 6 May 2024, perhaps in preparation for the long-promised occupation of Rafah, the Israelis dropped a new map leaflet over Rafah showing that the humanitarian district has been enlarged. The Jerusalem Post reported:

The IDF has begun evacuating civilians from eastern Rafah to a new expanded humanitarian zone which includes al-Mawasi and parts of Khan Yunis and central Gaza, the IDF announced on Monday morning. The evacuation comes ahead of planned IDF operations in the Rafah area. The new humanitarian zone includes field hospitals, tents, and increased provisions of food, water, medicine, and other supplies.

Additionally, the IDF is working in cooperation with international organizations and several countries to allow an increase of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The IDF, in accordance with a decision made by the political echelon, is calling on the population currently under Hamas control to evacuate temporarily from the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah to the new zone. The evacuation will be conducted in a phased manner in accordance with continuing situation assessments.

The leaflet text is:

To the residents of the Gaza Strip

The Israeli Defense Forces announces the expansion of the humanitarian services area in the Al-Mawasi area. From now on, the humanitarian services area will extend from Deir al-Balah in the north to Blocks 2360, 2371, and 2373 in the south, and east to the center of Khan Yunis - as attached to the map.

In this area expanded humanitarian services will continue. The IDF will continue to fight against terrorist organizations that use you as a human shield - so: Gaza City is considered a dangerous combat zone - refrain from returning to the area from the north of Wadi Gaza. It is forbidden to approach the eastern and southern security fence.

The Israeli Defense Army.

The above leaflet caused some major problems for the Israelis. It is the same as the leaflet dropped on 6 May. It tells the Palestinians that they can safely move to block 2371. I don’t know why they did not print a new leaflet. The leaflet dropped on the 26th has the same text saying that block 2371 is still safe. BUT the QR code on the later leaflet mentions other blocks that are now safe. One reader said, “The real-time updated map that appears by scanning the QR Code does NOT include blocks 2360, 2371 and 2373.” So, Gazans apparently stayed on block 2371 and were mistakenly bombed by the Israelis who thought they had moved elsewhere. The lesson here is not to use a QR code; tell the people clearly and succinctly what blocks are safe. This was a major error by the Israelis and they must learn from it.

In perhaps the only case where the Israel defense Forces dropped two leaflet on the same day this second 6 May leaflet appears to be a tactical pin-point drop on just a few streets in Rafah giving them different directions than the leaflet above. The text is:

Urgent! Warning!

On Map – The Human Services District

To all residents and displaced people in the Al-Shouka municipality area and in the neighborhoods, El Geneina, Tabet Ziraa, and Al-Biouk, in blocks:

270, 28, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10

The Israel Defense Forces will act with extreme force against terrorist organizations in your constituent areas, just as it has done so far.

Anyone who is close to terrorist organizations puts his life and the life of his family at risk.

For your safety, the Israeli Defense Forces urges you to evacuate immediately.

The expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi. We warn you that Gaza City is still a dangerous combat zone. Refrain from returning north from Wadi Gaza.

We warn you not to approach the eastern and southern security walls

The Israeli Defense Army

Hamas tried to claim that it had agreed to the ceasefire and hostage exchange, but it was reported on 7 May that they had changed the language in the cease-fire deal it accepted Monday to count the bodies of dead hostages in a proposed swap for Palestinian prisoners. The deal signed by Hamas also included an end to the war in Gaza — something the Israeli side said it would not accept. The Israelis had agreed to a six-week truce.

The biggest change reportedly came in the language around the 33 Israeli hostages who were set to be released in exchange for a cease-fire. While the original deal called for 33 living hostages, Hamas changed the wording to include 33 hostages "alive or bodies." When Israel realized they were being offered dead bodies rather than live bodies, they immediately started their promised attack on Rafah.

On 11 May it was reported that Israel ordered hundreds of thousands in Rafah to evacuate immediately as Israeli military forces prepared to expand further into Gaza’s southernmost city. The warning, which arrived in the form of dropped leaflets, came despite a rare threat from President Biden this week that he would withhold certain weapons if Israel advanced further into Rafah. The leaflet text is:

Urgent warning

To all the residents and displaced people in the Jabalia area and in the neighborhoods of Al-Salam Al-Nour, Tal Al-Zaatar, Beit Lahia Project, Jabalia Camp, Ezbet Mlin Al-Rawda Al-Nuzha, Al-Jarn Al-Nahda and Al-Zuhur.

You are in a dangerous combat zone. The IDF will soon act with extreme force against terrorist organizations in the region in which you are located. Everyone who is in these areas risks his life and the lives of his family members.

For your safety, we ask you to evacuate immediately to shelter Located west of Gaza City. It is strictly forbidden to approach the security fence. Approaching the fence puts your life and safety at risk.

The Israeli Defense Army

Hamas does not have an air force and cannot drop leaflets on Israel, but they use other terrorist type tactics to try and force the Israelis to sue for peace to get their hostages back. The Jerusalem Post mentioned such a case:

Hamas released a video of 26-year-old Israeli hostage Noa Argamani saying that two of her fellow hostages, Itai Svirsky and Yossi Sharabi, had been killed, along with a photo of two bodies that Hamas claimed were those of the two men. One day earlier, the terrorist organization had released a different video, showing all three hostages stating their names and places of residence and urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the war in Gaza. Following that first video, Hamas encouraged the public to guess the fates of the three hostages and whether they were alive, injured, or dead. “Hamas persistently employs psychological tactics against the Israeli public in an effort to enhance its position and survive the conflict in Gaza,” Dr. Omer Dostri, a researcher at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security and an expert on national security and military strategy, said.

We are Coming.

On 13 May Israeli once again dropped leaflets. The Israel Defense Force dropped leaflets and sent a message on mobile phones in Arabic over the Jabalia refugee camp in the far north of the Gaza Strip, warning the people and the Hamas fighters, "We are coming" according to Palestinian social media. The text is:

Oh, Hamas leaders, we are coming. If you come back, we will come back. We will return like a roaring flood until the clear victory.

On 17 May, the IDF distributed flyers in the Tel Al Sultan area of ​​ Rafah, calling on the local population to pass on information about the abductees, according to reports on Israeli media. The flyers, which were scattered from the air, displayed photos of the abductees. The caption attached to the photos read:

Look carefully around you. The hostages may be near you. If you want to protect your families and secure your future, don't hesitate to give us information about the abductees or who holds them.

A Leaflet depicting Palestinian Children

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Awni Falih Awni Hamouda
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Saddam Mustafa Abd Rabbo Abu Hashish
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Saddam Mustafa Abd Rabbo Abu Hashish

On Twitter a poster said about this leaflet:

You have been exposed. To save yourself, call the number below.

Another said:

Israel is dropping leaflets with the personal details of children, accusing them of being Hamas informants.

I do not quite understand this campaign but it was reported by Skwawkbob on 19 May that the Israeli military was airdropping leaflets with the faces, names, and security numbers of Palestinians, including children, on Deir Balah claiming they have been exposed as collaborators with Israel and listing a number to call to “save yourself,” in what might be an attempt to sow suspicion and division among the Palestinians of Gaza. At least one child pictured is a toddler of two or three years old. Leaflets showing adults have also been dropped.

A Leaflet depicting Palestinian Adults

The text on this larger leaflet is too small to translate. It may be pointing out collaborators or accusing some Palestinians of working with Israel. I saw one comment that claimed it outed a homosexual Palestinian. This one is very hard to figure. Its aim may be to turn the Palestinians against each other. Some of the text seems to say:

ID Number – Check our website to view complete information about those who Collaborate with Public Security - Have you made sure that your ID number is on the website? All details will be revealed soon…

One poster stated about this leaflet:

Yesterday it was reported that the Israeli military dropped leaflets in the Gaza Strip for the purposes of blackmailing Gaza residents that the military will reveal personal information (criminal records, extramarital affairs, LGBTQ identities) unless they collaborate with them, complete with a QR code leading to a website with a countdown timer. The website, registered with Namecheap, claims to have information on more than 9000 individuals, and includes names, ID numbers, and pictures of young children, labeled as “Hamas informants.”

I said above I did not understand the purpose of this latest campaign with the pictures and threats. On 23 May this campaign was finally explained. The Israelis are exposing Palestinians that acted as spies for Hamas and incriminated their own people. These files were found by Israel as various Hamas headquarters were captured. This was the way the campaign was conceived:

The Israeli military has begun publishing pictures and details of Palestinians in Gaza who it says "spied" on other Gazans for Hamas’ security apparatus. The army has received permission to "awaken the public in Gaza and show them that Hamas is following them and highlight what it is inflicting on them."

The Israeli army began airdropping leaflets revealing the photos and ID numbers of 130 men last Friday. "These men were recruited by Hamas’ General Security apparatus in order to spy on Gazan residents." The source goes on to claim that those allegedly recruited gave Hamas personal information on "rank-and-file" people in Gaza, including details on their "sexual proclivities" and or their extramarital relations.

"Call us if you don't want your photo appearing here," it says on the last page of the leaflet. "Hundreds of thousands of reports on you, the people of Gaza, have been collected. Do you want to know if you were spied on and reported? Go to the website, enter your ID number, and find out who reported you."

"Collaborator with the Hamas General Security! Have you found out if your ID number is on the website? We will soon reveal your details to everyone. You can still save yourself – call us." It also includes a barcode linked to a website where the details of specific people can be revealed.

To the Residents of the Gaza Strip

On 26 May the Israelis continued to drop leaflets telling the residents of Gaza where the safe places were. The fighting has got bloodier, and Hamas claimed to have launched 130 missiles from Gaza at Tel Aviv on the same day. The text on this leaflet is:

To the Residents of the Gaza Strip

The Israel Defense Forces announces the expansion of the humanitarian services area in the Al-Mawasi area. From now on, the humanitarian services area will extend from Deir al-Balah in the north to Blocks 2360, 2371, 2373 in the south and east to the center of Khan Yunis - as attached to the map.

In this area expanded humanitarian services will continue. The Israel Defense Forces will continue to fight against terrorist organizations that use you as a human shield - so: Gaza City is considered a dangerous combat zone - refrain from returning to the area from the north of Wadi Gaza. It is forbidden to approach the eastern and southern security fence.

The Israeli Defense Army.

The above leaflet caused some major problems for the Israelis. It is the same as the leaflet dropped on 6 May. It tells the Palestinians that they can safely move to block 2371. I don't know why they did not print a new leaflet. The leaflet dropped on the 26th has the same text saying that block 2371 is still safe. BUT the QR code on the later leaflet mentions other blocks that are now safe. One reader said, "The real-time updated map that appears by scanning the QR Code does NOT include blocks 2360, 2371 and 2373." So, Gazans apparently stayed on block 2371 and were mistakenly bombed by the Israelis who thought they had moved elsewhere. The lesson here is not to use a QR code; tell the people clearly and succinctly what blocks are safe. This was a major error by the Israelis and they must learn from it.

To his credit, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on 27 May blamed a "tragic mistake" for displaced civilians getting killed in a tent city in Rafah, a strike that sparked widespread condemnation, even from key allies. The prime minister addressed his parliament as Hamas-run health officials reported Sunday’s attack on Gaza killed 45 people, including women and children. "Despite our utmost efforts not to harm innocent civilians, last night, there was a tragic mistake," Netanyahu told the Knesset Monday of Sunday's strikes sparking a giant blaze in the tent city.

To the Residents of Beit Lahia

There has been little mention of leaflets in the early part of June. I suspect the fighting has been too difficult in Rafah to leave time for propaganda. One leaflet was dropped over North Gaza on 13 June. The text is:

To the Residents of Beit Lahia

The Israel Defense Forces intend to attack terrorists and terrorist infrastructures in the areas east of Al-Atatra and Al-Salatin Street, and in the area west and north of Ma’bscar Jabalyia. Israel is currently attacking, and will continue to attack, every area from which rockets are being launched at its territory.

Civilians are requested to evacuate their residences immediately and move by 12 p.m. today, south of Jabalyia Al-badr via Shar’a Al-Faluja.

The Israel Defense Forces campaign is to be short and temporary. Those who fail to comply with instructions will endanger their lives and the lives of their families.

Beware.

On 18 June the Jerusalem Post stated that the Israel Defense Forces distributed flyers in the Tel Al Sultan area of ​​Rafah on 15 June, calling on the local population to pass on information about the abductees. The flyers, which were scattered from the air, displayed photos of the abductees. Unfortunately, there is no photograph of this leaflet. The caption attached to the photos read:

Look carefully around you. The hostages may be near you.
If you want to protect your families and secure your future, don't hesitate to give us information about the abductees or who holds them.

On 18 June 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces distributed newspapers in Gaza that contains a leaflet that offers a reward of $200,000 to anyone who provides information about Yahya Al-Sinwar (and his brother), Muhammad Al-Deif, and Izz al-Din Haddad, commander of the Gaza Brigade. This is a strange leaflet and seems to be part of a monthly newspaper for the residents of Gaza. The newspaper contains warnings to money changers (Hamas' banks) and a description of the elimination of several money changers by the Israeli Defense Forces. Much of the text of the "leaflet" tells the reader that the leaflet if from the Telegram: Warfare Analysis and is not to be sold. We see that "no sale" over and over all over the leaflet and then under the heading "Notice!" it reminds the finders that "You read this newspaper. Just the truth and nothing else! It is forbidden to sell; it is forbidden to sell." We do see the number "$200.000" under the pictures of the wanted men and curiously, the words "Wanted" in English.

On 4 July Reuters wrote about the way some forces slow the arrival of food in Gaza. We have seen them rocket the pier the Americans built. For propaganda they seem to like the photos of starving Palestinians. It helps them recruit and might get them a recognized nation. The people that drive the food into Gaza tell of being held up and forced to pay enormous fees simply to bring food to the people. Is it Hamas at work trying to starve their own people for propaganda against the Israelis? Reuters says:

Mohammed describes a delivery job from hell.

"I get screwed on every shipment," the Gazan trader told Reuters. He said he must fork out more than $14,000 for each truck of food he brings into the besieged enclave to pay sky-high transport costs, bribes to middlemen and protection from looters. That's up from $1,500-$4,000 before the war began in October.

"It's barely worth my while. But I need food, my neighbors need food, the whole of Gaza needs food."

To everyone in Gaza City

On 10 July 2024 the Israeli military issued a sweeping directive for all Palestinians to leave Gaza City, calling the area a "dangerous combat zone" as it ramped up operations in the enclave's largest urban center. The Israel Defense Forces dropped leaflets over the city — the largest in the Gaza Strip — urging civilians to flee south along two designated routes. The warning, which the military characterized as an "evacuation recommendation," came just days after the IDF announced a new offensive in the region.

To everyone in Gaza City

Important announcement

Safe crossings enable you to pass quickly and without inspection from Gaza City to the shelters in Deir al-Balah and al-Zawaida. We announce to you that Tariq Bin Ziyad and Omar Al-Mukhtar Streets are considered safe passages to cross west to Al-Rashid (Al-Bahr) Street and from there south. Al-Wahda and Khalil Al-Wazir streets are considered safe passages to cross east to the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood and the city roundabout, and from there to Salah Al-Din Street to the south.

Gaza City will remain a dangerous combat zone.

The Israeli Defense Army

Below the text there is a map naming some streets and block numbers:

Safe passages for crossing - Al Rasheed Street (Bahri) - Umayyad transit corridors

2137, 2238, 2131, 2345, 2341, 2342, 2346, 2330 2340, 2230, 2232.

The IDF originally withdrew from the city in January but has since returned for more targeted raids, as Hamas fighters have regrouped in areas with fewer Israeli troops present. The Hamas military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, released a video on social media Wednesday showing its fighters detonating explosives under Israeli bulldozers and firing rockets at soldiers in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City.

Perhaps after seeing the video above, the N.Y. Times printed an article on the Hamas strategies on 13 July 2024 titled How Hamas Is Fighting in Gaza: Tunnels, Traps and Ambushes. I will add some of the text, but the reader is encouraged to read the entire article if possible.

They hide under residential neighborhoods, storing their weapons in miles of tunnels and in houses, mosques, sofas — even a child’s bedroom — blurring the boundary between civilians and combatants. They emerge from hiding in plainclothes, sometimes wearing sandals or tracksuits before firing on Israeli troops, attaching mines to their vehicles, or firing rockets from launchers in civilian areas. They rig abandoned homes with explosives and tripwires, sometimes luring Israeli soldiers to enter the booby-trapped buildings by scattering signs of a Hamas presence.

Yet despite the carnage in Gaza, Hamas's strategy has helped the group fulfill some of its own goals. The war has tarnished Israel's reputation in much of the world, prompting charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague. It has exacerbated long-running rifts in Israeli society, prompting disagreements among Israelis about whether and how Israel should defeat Hamas. And it has restored the question of Palestinian statehood to global discourse, leading several countries to recognize Palestine as a state.

Using civilian homes and infrastructure — including medical facilities, U.N. offices and mosques — to conceal fighters, tunnel entrances, booby-traps and ammunition stores; Ambushing Israeli soldiers with small groups of fighters dressed as civilians, as well as using civilians, including children, to act as lookouts. Other Hamas members acknowledge and defend the movement’s use of civilian clothes and civilian homes, saying the group had no alternative. Hamas militants wear civilian clothes in a legitimate attempt to avoid detection.

The tunnel network grew so extensive that it ran underneath a major U.N. compound and the largest hospital in Gaza, as well as major roads, countless homes and government buildings. In the best-planned ambushes, Hamas squads have lulled Israeli forces into a false sense of security by allowing them to move freely for hours or even days in areas marked for attack. Hamas fighters and Israeli soldiers say that Hamas tracks the Israelis' locations using hidden cameras, drones and intelligence provided by civilian lookouts. Five Israeli soldiers said those lookouts include children, who stand on roofs and relay information to commanders below.

In addition to setting traps in houses, Hamas has also used residential buildings to conceal scores of small arms caches across the territory. It became normal to find munitions hidden inside civilian homes and mosques, which is one of the reasons, the army had destroyed so many such buildings. One recalled finding guns behind a false wall in a child's bedroom, while another said his unit found grenades in a woman's clothes closet.

To the Residents of Beit Lahia

On 13 July the Israelis dropped another leaflet. Israeli sources were kind enough to send the below translation:

 

To the Residents of Shuja'iya and Zeitoun

On 16 July the Israeli again sent leaflets over Gaza. Israeli military forces sent the below translation:

A fake Houthis Leaflet?

On 19 July 2024, USA Today reported that:

Israel's military was investigating a surprise drone attack claimed by Iran-backed Houthis that killed at least one person and injured eight others near the U.S. Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv. The incident comes just hours after Israel's air force announced it killed two senior commanders of Hezbollah, a separate Iran-backed group based in southern Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging strikes across the border for months, raising fears they are edging closer to all-out war.

The above leaflet claims to be from Yemini and found in the Negev Desert. It seems to be a parody of the Israeli leaflets warning the people of Gaza of a coming attack and sending them to a humanitarian place. Apparently, somebody got excited about the Houthis drone attack and quickly produced a leaflet. I guess they wanted finders to know it is a fake because the leaflet is written in Hebrew:

URGENT WARNING

To the residents and displaced people of the city of Tel Aviv

You are in a dangerous combat zone.

The Yemeni Armed Forces will work forcefully against terrorist organizations in the area you are staying. Anyone who is in these areas puts his life and the life of his family at risk.

For your safety, immediately turn south through the Negev Desert area to the humanitarian area.

Yemeni Armed Forces

This leaflet was investigated by the website Fact Check. This was a detailed study and I have edited it for brevity just showing the main message. It said:

Claim: Yemen dropped leaflets in Tel Aviv, asking citizens to evacuate before the drone strike on 19 July. Additionally, Yemen shared digital posters of the same, as a warning for the residents of Tel Aviv.

Fact: The leaflets, likely made by Palestinians, mock the ones dropped by Israeli forces in Gaza. The leaflets were not originally made or distributed by the Yemeni Armed Forces or the Houthis before the drone strike in Tel Aviv on 19 July 2024.

A few hours after the drone strike in Tel Aviv, which was claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, photos of a leaflet began circulating on various social media platforms. One user shared the photo on X, from an account that has now been suspended, with the caption, “Pack your bags and leave.” Another user shared the photo of the same leaflet on X, written in Arabic.

A Hamas Cartoon
Hamad Ahmed

At first look this seemed to be an Israeli cartoon. It seemed to show Gazans staying in a dangerous place instead of fleeing after an Israeli warning of plans for attack. But, in fact it is a Hamas cartoon. The text is:

Residents of the north must move south of the Gaza Strip

We are not leaving, you daughter of a Jew!

I first suspected that the text was aimed at the daughter next to the mother, but that made no sense. But then the official Twitter of Abu Ali Express in English pointed out that it was aimed at the drone dropping leaflets overhead. Drone is a feminine noun in Arabic.

You are not going to be a Jewish girl

Cartoon found on X. @PalestinFiction says:

To protect civilian lives, Israel takes the time to distribute leaflets to Arabs of Gaza about safe locations and safe routes. So, what does Hamas do? Distribute leaflets calling Arabs and Palestinians to stay in war zones.

...but Israel is the one blamed for genocide...

On 21 July 2024 the Jerusalem Post reported that The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) have uncovered a treasure trove of Hamas intelligence, consisting of stacks of documents, files, and computers, including guidelines on what to do if someone is suspected of being part of the LGBTQ community and a phrasebook of Hebrew words to help terrorists communicate in Hebrew, which included phrases such as "Take off your clothes."

Among the findings were operational tables, equipment lists, classified maps, and instructions on what to do if captured, leading to the conclusion that Hamas's military wing has transformed into a professional army right under the nose of Israeli intelligence.

"The amount of intelligence accumulated so far in the hands of Shin Bet and Military Intelligence allows us to dismantle Hamas from within," said a senior security official exposed to the heaps of documents.

The intelligence included Excel tables showing the readiness levels of special units, companies, battalions, and brigades, including the scope of training, weapons, and ammunition. "Hundreds and thousands of interrogations of terrorists and senior leaders would not have yielded such intimate intelligence on their methods of order and organization in such a short period," said a military official exposed to the intelligence material.

The IDF Intelligence Division gathered various equipment, such as weapons from Russia, North Korea, Iran, Egypt, Libya, and others, to trace not only their usage but also to learn about procurement and assistance routes. Among the items found were over 150 pickup trucks and more than 350 Chinese motorcycles smuggled through tunnels under the Philadelphi Route, which were used by over 4,000 terrorists from 75 infiltration points to attack Western Negev settlements and military outposts on October 7.

"After consolidating all Hamas infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, based on what we saw in maps and documents and what was actually discovered, it is clear that Gaza was constructed as one large military base, including the use of kindergartens, schools, clinics, hospitals, and mosques," said a source who reviewed Hamas documents. The source added, "They intended to infiltrate a large number of IDF bases, including Air Force bases."

On 22 July the Israeli ordered the people of Gaza to move from what had been declared a safe area once again. We see this over and over. The Israelis clean out an area and tell the Gazans it is safe for them to enter. Then Hamas moves its fighters into that place and uses it to attack the Israelis. The Israelis tell the people to move out and l see pictures of them being forced to move. The Israelis look bad in the world press but what are they to do if Hamas fires rockets at them from what was supposed to be a safe peaceful area? France 24 reported:

Thousands of panicked Gazans fled after the Israeli military showered Khan Yunis with leaflets ordering evacuation on the 22nd, warning it was preparing to launch an operation in part of a former humanitarian area. The military had declared Al-Mawasi, along the Gaza coast between the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah, a safe zone in May, and told Palestinians to relocate there. But it has now ordered people to leave part of the zone in eastern Khan Yunis city that it says militants have been using to launch attacks on Israeli targets. The military said the evacuation was due to "significant terrorist activity and rocket fire toward the state of Israel from the eastern part of the humanitarian area", making it too "dangerous" to remain.

On 24 July 2024 Israel Defense Forces dropped leaflets from a helicopter in the Markza area of Khan Yunis. Allegedly that leaflet says in part:

Evacuate this area within 4 hours. If you don't do it, you will be responsible for your own death.

On the political side, publicly showing some annoyance at Israel, Republican House Speaker Johnson ripped Democrat Kamala Harris' "unconscionable" decision to skip Israeli PM Netanyahu's speech to Congress on 24 July, just like Biden did in 2015. Meanwhile, Donald Trump who often calls himself "the staunchest ally of Israel to ever sit in the Oval Office," agreed to meet personally with Netanyahu on 26 July at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

 Drop Site News reported that sometime during July Israel dropped a leaflet in Hamad City in Khan Younis that depicted a house turned to rubble and the long message ending with a saying by the Prophet Muhammed:

Gaza above the ground and Gaza beneath the ground. O people of Gaza above the ground in general and people of Khan Yunis in particular: How long will you put your lives, your children's lives, and the apples of your eyes in danger and put yourselves in the hands of the Hamas oppressors who misled and deceived you?

The fish stinks from the top as they say. While Hamas leaders live a life of luxury far from the destroyed Khan Younis, the people of Gaza are suffering under the weight of hardship and are suffering from extreme poverty and hunger. Where are you, Fighters of the Qassam Brigades? While pretending to be heroes on the ground, you hide like rats in underground tunnels. Where are you, Yahya Sinwar? Hiding like a fish in the depths of the sea, and you know that if you come out of the water, you'd be killed. Where are you, Muhammad al-Deif? You promised the flood of Al-Aqsa, but the situation was reversed and became the flood of Khan Yunis.

O people of Khan Yunis, take your destiny into your own hands and appoint a just and honest imam who will save Gaza from the hyenas and put your interests and the interests of your children before your eyes. Everyone knows that Hamas has lost its legitimacy and sacrificed the fate and future of the people of Gaza. The Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, was asked which jihad is best. He said, “A word of truth in the presence of an unjust ruler.”

On 1 August it was reported that the Israeli Defense Forces dropped Leaflets from aircraft that told civilians to leave the towns of Bani Shuhaila, Khuzaa, Abassan and Qarara. This is the second drop in a row where no images of leaflets were published. It seems like information is becoming harder to find.

Smoking is dangerous, but Hamas is more dangerous

The Jerusalem Post reported on 9 August 2024 that the Israel Defense Forces dropped cigarettes over Khan Yunis, Gaza:

With cigarette prices at an all-time high in the Gaza Strip, the IDF has used the opportunity to incentivize disdain and distrust in Hamas among the residents of Gaza. The IDF dropped cigarettes from the sky over the coastal area of Khan Yunis of the Gaza Strip on Thursday along with messages warning locals against the dangers. While the IDF has been known to drop leaflets consistently before striking, requesting that the public evacuate the area immediately for their own safety, some have been used to offer rewards for Hamas leaders.

Unlike the previous leaflets, the ones dropped on Thursday by the IDF did not request that the Gazans evacuate or give up information. Instead, the residents were gifted with cigarettes. Attached to the cigarette, various leaflets read, “Smoking is dangerous, but Hamas is more dangerous,” and "Hamas is burning Gaza." Adjacent to the inscription, the IDF added a contact number to the "Influence Department" for more information. An additional leaflet offered an unspecified gift for every Gazan who collected five leaflets.

The current price of a single cigarette in the Gaza Strip is $27 U.S., while a package is $430 U.S.. This "tax" has helped Hamas continue to fund its own survival throughout the war at the great expense of the Gazan residents.

[Authors Note] Cigarettes have been used for wartime propaganda for decades. They were dropped on the occupied cities of Europe in WWII by the U.S. Air Force and the British Royal Air Force. MacArthur dropped miniature packs over the Philippines with the message "I shall return." The OSS smuggled cigarettes with a propaganda newspaper into Germany. They were dropped again in Korea. They were dropped in Vietnam and on North Korea during the Cold War. Taiwan sent cigarettes by balloon to mainland China. So, although many readers will think this Israeli plan is brand new, it has been used for about 8 decades by numerous countries.

On 11 August 2024, hundreds of Gazans fled the northern neighborhoods of Khan Yunis after Israel issued fresh evacuation orders ahead of a new operation against Palestinian militants it says have taken refuge there. Early in the morning the army dropped leaflets and sent mobile phone messages telling residents to leave the Al-Jalaa area of Khan Yunis, which was already considered a humanitarian safe zone. The text is:

To all the residents and displaced people who are still in Al-Jalaa neighborhood - 11.08.2024

Against the backdrop of the exploitation of the humanitarian zone for terrorist acts and the continuous firing of rockets towards the State of Israel from Block 36, remaining in this block has become dangerous, and there for that block will no longer be considered part of the humanitarian zone as of now. We inform all residents and displaced persons who are still in the Jalaa neighborhood that the IDF will act forcefully against the terrorist organizations there. For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to the newly created humanitarian zone. The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone.

Scan the QR symbol to reveal the block map.

The Israeli military on 16 August dropped leaflets asking civilians to evacuate from areas in northern Khan Younis and eastern Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, saying forces planned to respond to rocket fire that targeted Israel. New evacuation orders are targeting areas that were previously designated as humanitarian zones, East Deir al-Balah, al-Qarara, al-Mawasi, al-Jalaa, Hamad City and al-Nasr. The leaflet text is:

Urgent warning

To all the residents and displaced people who are still there

Available in blocks: 899, 2356, 36, 127, 126, 125

In the neighborhoods east of Deir al-Balah, al-Qarara, al-Mawasi, al-Jalaa, Hamad Town and al-Nasr

The IDF will act forcefully against terrorist organizations in your area. For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the new humanitarian zone

Israel Defense Forces

Because of the Israeli success in killing the Hamas leaders, on 21 August, Yaya Sinwar the mastermind of the 7 October raid and leader of Hamas who once said that it would be honor dying fighting Israel has added a new demand to his requirements for a ceasefire. He apparently wants a promise that the Israelis won't kill him.

Unauthorized Leaflets dropped on Lebanon

Although we assume the Israelis dropped leaflet all through August and September, we have seen few mentioned in any of the numerous newspapers we study. It is as if the papers were tired of the Gaza struggles. Toward the middle of September Hezbollah became more involved firing rockets at Israel from Lebanon. Israel dropped leaflets over a Lebanon border village on 15 September urging residents to leave, but Israel's military told the AFP News that a brigade had taken the initiative without approval.

It was the first time Israelis had told residents of south Lebanon to evacuate in 11 months of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel over the Gaza war. "The Israeli enemy dropped leaflets over Wazzani calling on those in the area and its surroundings to evacuate." Wazzani Mayor Ahmed al-Mohammed shared with AFP a picture of the leaflets that showed a map of the region with the areas marked for evacuation in red. The leaflet read in Arabic:

To all residents and refugees living in the camps, Hezbollah is firing from your region. You must immediately leave your homes and head north of the Khiam region before 04:00 pm (1300 GMT). Do not return to this area until the end of the war. Anyone present in this area after this time will be considered a terrorist.

Asked about the incident, an Israeli military spokeswoman said the leaflets had been dropped by drone in an area from which rockets had been fired into northern Israel. "This was an initiative of the 769 Brigade, it was not approved by the Northern Command. An investigation has been opened," she added.

An Exploded Pager

Not exactly PSYOP but certainly a special operation; on 17 September 2024 The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel somehow managed to get telephone pagers with explosives into the hands of Hezbollah members:

Hundreds of members of the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah were seriously wounded on Tuesday in Lebanon's south and the southern suburbs of Beirut when the pagers they use to communicate exploded. A senior Lebanese security source said that Israel infiltrated the communication system of individual devices and detonated them. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detonation of the pagers was the “biggest security breach” the group had been subjected to in nearly a year of war with Israel. According to reports, the phones were called before the explosion for some period of seconds to increase the chance that whoever received the call would pick it up and be maximally wounded.

An Exploded Walkie-Talkie Radio

Although it seems impossible on 18 September 2024, a second wave of blasts rocked Hezbollah on Wednesday as radios and other devices used by the terror group were detonated across Lebanon. Additional explosions were reported throughout the capital of Beirut and in the country’s south following Tuesday’s massive security breach that caused Hezbollah pagers to explode, killing at least 12 people and injuring another 2,800. Some thousands of personal walkie-talkie radios were targeted in Wednesday’s operation, which were all ordered from the terror group five months ago, around the same time as the deadly pagers. The shipment, however, was allegedly intercepted by Israeli spy agency Mossad and rigged with pentaerythritol tetranitrate, a highly explosive material. They were implanted with as little as one to two ounces of the explosive, allegedly placed next to each battery along with a switch that could be triggered remotely to cause detonation.

Meanwhile, the Israel-Gaza war seems to be taking a back seat as Hezbollah in Lebanon becomes more active. On 22 September, Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into Northern Israel and Israel launched hundreds of air strikes on Lebanon. It look like I might have to reopen my old article about the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.

Israeli Leaflet to Bekaa

On 23 September the Israel Defense Forces dropped leaflets in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, warning residents to evacuate the areas, the Qatari newspaper The New Arab reported on Monday evening. The leaflets say that Hezbollah's activities have forced the Israeli military to target military sites:

Urgent warning to the residence of Bekaa

Hezbollah activity has forced the Israeli Defense Forces to move against military positions in this village and the army does not want to you harmed.

If you were in a building that contains Hezbollah weapons, you must leave the village within two hours and move 1000 meters away to the nearest central school and not return until you receive a new message.

Anyone who is near Hezbollah elements, factories or weapons, puts his life and the life of his family at risk.

The Israel, Defense Forces

In the past many nations have tried to convince their own people that reading enemy leaflets was dangerous. Most often they say the leaflets are contaminated with deadly diseases. Hezbollah tried something new. After the leaflets above were dropped, the next day Hezbollah's media office said that Israel was dropping leaflets with a very dangerous barcode on them.

The Zionist enemy is dropping leaflets with barcodes in the Bekaa region and may drop them elsewhere. Please do not open or circulate the barcode. You must destroy it immediately. The code could take all your information.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Hezbollah's media office did not say if anything else was written on the flyers. Note that the newspaper that published this picture of the Israeli leaflets, The Sun, seems to believe the Hezbollah story and has covered up the offending barcode.

On the same day after Hezbollah sent over one hundred rockets at Haifa and the West Bank, Israel retaliated with a northern front operation they called “Northern Arrows.” The Israeli Air Force targeted approximately 1,600 Hezbollah terror facilities in Lebanon. Hamas' armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said that its field commander in southern Lebanon, Mahmoud al Nader, was killed in an Israeli strike on Lebanon.

On 1 October, after a week where Israel attacked both Hamas, Houthis, and Hezbollah and killed numerous leaders, Iran finally entered the struggle instead of letting its proxy’s fight. Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel, the IDF said. Sirens flared on as Iranian missiles targeted central and southern Israel in Tehran’s first direct attack on the Jewish state since April, according to the Israeli military. Israeli media reported 102 ballistic missiles, capable of reaching Israel in 12 minutes, were headed toward the Jewish state.

Now we await Israel’s answer, which will probably be heavy bombing by their air force.

On 5 October, Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets telling the people to evacuate the following residential blocks. It is a dangerous combat zone. The leaflet has a UR code on the left and text at the right including some identified areas. Some of it is too small to read from the scan. The parts that can be read say:

URGENT WARNING 

To all those present in the Brigade and Nuseiral camps: If Hamas continues their terrorist activities in your area, The Israel Defense Forces will act forcibly against them. For your own safety, evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone.

Israeli Defense Forces.

On 6 October Israel claimed that Hamas forces were reconstituting in parts of Gaza and dropped leaflets on areas in northern Gaza, warning civilians to leave ahead of a strike. Qatari outlet Al Araby Al Jadeed says troops entered the refugee camp and are surrounding buildings. Earlier, the military said it conducted a targeted strike on Hamas terrorists who were operating inside a command-and-control center embedded within a compound that previously served as the 'Ibn Rushd' School in Deir al Balah. The text is:

New evacuation zones and humanitarian paths designated for residents of the northern Gaza Strip.

It is forbidden to approach security forces.

Al-Rashid Street,
Salah al-Din Street.

In preparation for a new phase in the war, the Israel Defense Force publishes a map of the new evacuation zones in the northern Gaza Strip, the details of which are published other than the attached QR code.

To draw your attention to the fact that these areas are considered dangerous areas, you can use Al-Rashid Al-Bahr Street and Salah Al-Din Street as humanitarian outskirts to the south.

The Israel Defense Force will continue to operate in every place where terrorist activities are detected.

Find a Deep Tunnel

On 9 October 2024, Israel reportedly dropped leaflets in Gaza, warning terror chief Sinwar with an image of an hourglass filled with the faces of eliminated Hamas leaders. The text is:

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

Find a deep tunnel, Oh Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar

[Note]: this is a passage from the Koran: 6. Surah Al-An'am, Verse 59. 

Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar

A Photo of Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar

On 18 October 2024, Photos showing the body of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, killed in an Israeli airstrike were published. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar orchestrated the 7 October 2023 massacre in which more than 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage. The image shows the body of the Hamas terrorist partially buried underneath rubble as he’s surrounded by Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. The slain terrorist can be seen wearing a vest carrying grenades, as well as a wristwatch that is commonly used by Hamas fighters, according to Israeli media. At first it was reported he was killed in an airstrike, a day later it was reported he was seen by a unit from the Israel Defense Forces’ 828th Bislamach Brigade that was patrolling the Tal al-Sultan area of Rafah on 16 October. The unit is a training battalion that was on a regular patrol in Rafah searching for Hamas tunnels. Israeli troops sent a drone to seek him out in a building, then a tank fired a round into the building and brought it down. The rubble was searched and the body was found on 17 October. The Israeli soldiers found 40,000 shekels ($10,000) and an identification card for a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) teacher on Sinwar’s body. Inside the building, they also uncovered a cache of weapons.

The Sinwar Leaflet

On 19 October Reuters reported that Israeli planes dropped leaflets over southern Gaza on Saturday showing a picture of the dead Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar with the message that said:

Sinwar ruined your lives, he hid in a dark den and was killed when he fled in panic.

Hamas will no longer rule Gaza, you have a chance to free yourself from its tyranny.

For those who lay down their weapons and return the kidnapped to us - we will allow them to leave and live in peace.

On 26 October 2024, in retaliation for the earlier Iranian missile attack on Israel, Israel confirmed it had struck numerous military sites during its strikes on Iran in an operation later named "Days of Repentance." The attack was declared over by 5:45 a.m., just as the sun began rising over Tehran.  The attack occurred in three major waves. The second and third waves targeted Iranian drone and missile production sites, hitting over 20 targets, according to Axios and the New York Times. None of the over 100 Israeli aircraft that took part in the raid were lost. In addition to the Iran attacks, Israel also attacked air defense systems in Syria and Iraq to prevent those countries from intercepting the attacks.

On 5 November, Israeli Forces issued new evacuation orders for residents of Beit Lahia and northern Gaza. Israeli drones dropped leaflets in the areas of Al-Sheema, Al-Hattabia, Al-Radee Street, and the main road in Beit Lahia, instructing residents to move south toward the Salah al-Din corridor via Beit Lahia Street. The text is:

Beit Lahia Public
South of Salahuddin
Urgent warning!
Jabalia collapse
To all who are still in place and in shelter, you are exposing
Your lives are in danger!
For your safety, immediately move south towards Salah El-Din axis via
Beit Lahia main road. Any other movement puts you at risk!

The Sinwar Leaflet

On 6 November, Palestinian sources reported leaflets being distributed in Gaza City featuring Sinwar (who was already killed by Israel) in crosshairs. The text is:

To all the dear people of Gaza

If they incline to peace, then incline to it too.

After praising God, Lord of the Worlds, and after the defeat of Iran’s agents, the agents of Satan, thanks be to God, and our consideration of opening a new era of life for the people of Gaza who have suffered and are suffering woes as a result of Hamas’s humiliating actions against the people of Gaza, the Israeli government has decided to extend a helping hand to all the needy people of Gaza who have suffered greatly from Hamas’s oppression and persecution of the people of Gaza, and since the rule of Hamas has passed and vanished, just as the rule of the Persians vanished before it at the hands of Omar bin al-Khattab.

We call on all the people of the Gaza Strip to join hands with you and build together a new Gaza, but so that everyone knows that we will not forgive and we warn anyone who provides any assistance to Hamas that he will pay a very high price and we will not have mercy on him. He who warns is excused and we will not have mercy, and God is Forgiving and Merciful.

72527492775 - Contact the worker Abu Salem on WhatsApp

John Spencer wrote about the Gaza Tunnels in "Israel’s New Approach to Tunnels: A Paradigm Shift in Underground Warfare." in Modern War Institute.

One of the main reasons the IDF were unprepared for Gaza’s underground spaces was simply that no military had faced anything like it in the past—not even Israeli ground forces. The IDF faced a Hamas military organization that had spent over fifteen years engineering the infrastructure of an entire region—to include over twenty major cities—for war, with the group’s political-military strategy resting on a vast and expensively constructed subterranean network under Gaza’s population centers. The Hamas underground network, often called the “Gaza metro,” includes between 350 and 450 miles of tunnels and bunkers at depths ranging from just beneath apartment complexes, mosques, schools, hospitals, and other civilian structures to over two hundred feet underground. There are estimates of over five thousand separate shafts leading down into Hamas subsurface spaces. In past wars, where underground environments were used, the tunnel networks were subordinated to the surface and were not built solely under population centers, mostly to be used as massive human shields.

IDF investigations and captured Hamas documents produced reports that it took Hamas a year to dig one kilometer of standard tunnel at a per-kilometer cost of $275,000. Several factors—size, type, and function, for examples—can raise the costs well beyond that of a standard mobility tunnel. The variety of tunnels in Gaza makes it difficult to estimate the underground network’s overall cost, but Hamas reportedly spent $90 million to build just three dozen tunnels in 2014, and some analysts place the network’s total cost at over $1 billion.

On 8 January 2025, the Drop Site News published an article titled, "Here are the propaganda leaflets Israel is currently dropping over Gaza." The next five Israeli leaflets are all from that article. The first leaflet seems to have been dropped in early November:

HAMAS HAS REPRESSED YOU…
Credit: Hamza Al-Masri on Telegram

Leaflets were dropped over Jabaliya and Beit Lahia. These included stills from a security camera video showing a man being tortured along with a QR code for tose that want to watch the entire video. It calls on residents to come forward with any information about the perpetrators in the video, providing contact information for the Israeli military on Telegram and WhatsApp. The text is:

Israel Defense forces
Israeli Army

Hamas has repressed you for years, people of Gaza, it’s time for revenge.

If you recognize any of the activists in the video, please contact us.

To watch the video

Telegram - -
WhatsApp and phone

NEXT TIME IT WILL BE BECAUSE OF THEM
Credit: Hamza Al-Masri on Telegram

About the same time in early November, leaflets with a picture of the local market and pictures of several alleged Hamas members rained down over Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, threatening residents that if the men remained at large, their neighborhoods and future would be destroyed. Notice that the finder defaced the leaflet to destroy the images of the terrorists. The text is:

Israel Defense forces
Israeli army

Next time it will be because of them

Save your neighborhood and secure your future. Call now on:

Abu Nimr
Telegram
M WhatsApp

THOSE WHO CAN’T TAKE ON THE STRONG…
Credit: (@OsamaDmour5) on X.

The Drop News site reported that in late November Israel has been dropping a leaflet over several towns including al-Magahazi, Beit Hanoon, and Khan Younis with a photo of Hamas members choking and beating bound and hooded civilians. The text is:

Israel Defense forces
Israeli Army

Those who can’t take on the strong, pummel the weak.

2025

Credit: Hamza Al-Masri on Telegram

2025
Drop Site News

On 6 January 2025, Israeli jets flying over Khan Younis dropped leaflets with an image of Gaza burning and the smoke creating the numbers “2025.” I suppose this could be considered a New Year’s card. A comment in the center shows us that the leaflet was uploaded by Activist Hamza Al-Masry. The text is:

Israel Defense Forces

Hamas destroyed Gaza.

It's your turn to rebuild it.

Islam Hijazi Leaflet
Drop Site News

On 7 January, Israel dropped leaflets over Khan Younis depicting Hamas’ accidental killing last September of Islam Hijazi, an employee of HEAL, a Palestinian medical NGO. The leaflet included a verse from Surat Al-Nesaa in the Qur’an that encourages the fair treatment of women. The text is:

Israel Defense Forces
Israeli army

... O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor prevent them from marrying to take away part of what you have given them, unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness...

(Surat An-Nisa, verse (19)

On 15 January 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a deal to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip and free more than a third of the Israeli hostages, who have endured more than 15 months of captivity. The agreement will create a 42-day cease-fire in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory after 15 months of fighting. The pause in fighting will allow Israel and the terror group Hamas to negotiate the terms to release the 97 hostages remaining in Gaza

Normally I would end my research of propaganda leaflets once the ceasefire is signed. However, this is not all of the hostages, we don’t know how many of them will be dead, and Israel is also involved in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen because of the Hamas war. We will have to decide on halting or continuing because I am sure the war will continue, even if just in other areas.

Om 18 January the New Arab reported that the Israeli army dropped leaflets on the Gaza Strip hours before a ceasefire agreement was expected to come into effect, seemingly mocking claims of victory against Israel. The leaflets depicted a drawing of a Palestinian family in the rubble of their home, with the text:

Is victory at hand or not yet?

A new victory for the resistance.

I should point out that this leaflet has none of the usual identification or symbols of the Israeli Defense Forces so it could be a privately made leaflet and not officially from their government.

On 30 January 2025, the Israelis apparently were disturbed by the celebrations and ceremonies when Hamas released Jewish hostages, as if they had somehow won the war. Israeli drones dropped leaflets on the Gaza Strip warning Palestinians not to hold flags or banners or celebrate the release of Palestinian prisoners in any way. This comes as 110 Palestinian prisoners are released in the occupied West Bank in exchange for the Israeli and Thai captives released earlier on Thursday. The text is:

Security forces will not allow demonstrations to be held in support of terrorist organizations.

Anyone who participates in such events risks arrest.

We have warned you and we are following you closely.

On 20 February 2025, The Middle East Eye reported that Israeli forces are dropping leaflets across Gaza to spread fear and intimidation among the civilian population and cause psychological distress. Today there is some doubt if this is an Israeli leaflet or a black leaflet by some other player.

One skeptic said: This is not real. All external Israeli military communications must pass review by Military Advocate General, a judicial review body that is openly monitored by "civil society" groups that can bring violations to the attention of the Israeli Supreme Court. In addition, the "logo" used on the leaflet states that it is from the Israel Security Agency, not the Israeli Defense Forces. Actual leaflets dropped on Gaza are clearly marked with the IDF logo.

The leaflet quotes the Quran and basically threatens the people of Gaza with extinction. The top of the leaflet depicts Netanyahu at the left and Trump at the right. There is a symbol beneath that says Israeli Security Agency. Text below that symbol first is a message from the Quran:

And we will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them say "Indeed we belong to God, and indeed to him we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and it is those who are the [rightly] guided.

In the next paragraph we find a letter to the people of Gaza.

To the honorable people of Gaza

After the events that took place, the temporary ceasefire, and before the start of implementing Trump‘s compulsory plan, which will force you to be forcibly displaced whether you like it or not, we have decided to address you with a final appeal to anyone who wants us to provide them with assistance, and in return agrees to help us, we will not hesitate for a moment to help.

Recalculate: the map of the world will not change if all the people of Gaza disappear from existence, and no one will feel you or ask about you. You are left alone and your inevitable fate. Iran cannot protect itself, let alone protect you, and you have seen with your own eyes what happened. Neither America nor Europe care about Gaza at all. Not even your Arab countries, which are our allies now and provide us with money, oil, and weapons and they send you shrouds.

There is only a little left and the game is over

And, whoever wants to win himself before it is too late, we will remain here until the Day of Resurrection.

In other news Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would make Hamas pay for failing to release the body of hostage Shiri Bibas as agreed, in the latest potential threat to the month-old Gaza ceasefire. Hamas agreed to return the mother and two children they admitted were dead. They only returned the children along with an unknown body.

This article is meant to be just a quick look at the PSYOP aspects of the Israel-Hamas struggle. As always, readers with comments are encouraged to write to the author at sgmbert@hotmail.com.