Captured Gaza Documents Reveal Hamas Planned Judea and Samaria Raids

Documents seized by Israeli forces during operations in the Gaza Strip show that Hamas intended to carry out raids on Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and along the seam line, the area adjacent to Israel’s separation barrier, according to a report this weekend by Channel 12 News.

The materials, captured by the IDF in Gaza, include internal correspondence and recorded conversations among senior Hamas terrorists. While the documents do not outline a fully developed operational plan or list specific target communities like the assault of October 7, Israeli security officials say they reflect a clear strategic intent to attack civilian settlements beyond Gaza. The exposure of such intent has been treated by the defense establishment as a significant indicator, particularly in light of the lessons drawn from Hamas’s previous attack patterns.

Following the October 7 attack, the IDF reassessed its main threat scenarios, including in Judea and Samaria. Based in part on the materials seized in Gaza, Military Intelligence concluded that Hamas could attempt a similar type of attack there, with organized infiltrations into Israeli communities aimed at causing mass casualties.

That reassessment has led to concrete changes on the ground. Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF’s Central Command to prepare operational plans for taking control of additional refugee camps in Judea and Samaria. Unlike past operations that focused on short, targeted raids, the new approach emphasizes seizing the area and maintaining a prolonged presence. Israeli forces have already operated under this model in Tulkarem, Jenin, and Nur al-Shams, with the stated goal of dismantling terror infrastructure and preventing it from being rebuilt.

In response to the report, an IDF spokesperson said: “The IDF is committed to the security of Israel’s civilians. Ongoing situational assessments are conducted in light of all threats and developments, as part of implementing the lessons of October 7. The reference scenarios approved by the General Staff and the political echelon have been exercised in several drills, including the bi-divisional ‘Roaring Lion’ exercise held in November.”

The spokesperson added: “No tunnel infrastructure is known in the seam-line area. The IDF and security forces operate in the Central Command arena at all times to deny offensive capabilities and thwart terrorism.”

Along the seam line, residents have voiced growing concern in recent months over what they describe as increased vulnerability near the separation barrier. Eitan Rosenblatt, a former security coordinator of Moshav Shekef, said the situation has worsened since October 7. “I feel very bad. Our situation has only deteriorated since October 7. We know the dangers, but in practice nothing has changed. Hundreds of people cross over the wall every week. The real problem is what we don’t see, because very little of the area is monitored,” he said.

Security officials say that even without a fully detailed attack plan, the documents highlight the need for constant awareness and a stronger Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria. According to them, the updated security approach is meant to identify and stop threats in advance, rather than respond only after an attack has already taken place.