The Israeli army (IDF) on Monday showed an internal Hamas document that outlines a plan to place explosives around camps for displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The army says the document has not been published before.
The document dates from April 2024 and was written by Hamas's engineering department. The IDF says the devices were meant to go off as Israeli troops neared the camps.
The aim was to create chaos as a distraction, so that Hamas leaders and fighters hiding nearby could escape.
The plan also calls for explosives on roads used by Gaza residents, to slow the advance of Israeli troops. According to the document, fighters were also to fire stun grenades in the camps to scare civilians and add to the confusion as they fled.
The IDF says the document proves Hamas was willing to knowingly put displaced civilians at risk to protect its leaders and fighters during Israeli operations. It also says the tactics show the group is ready to use civilians for operational purposes, despite the risk of direct harm to those sheltering in the camps.
The IDF does not say whether the plan was approved or carried out.