IDF lieutenant says Hamas publicized upcoming operation on Telegram prior to Oct 7 attack

In a Hebrew-language article published by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), IDF reservist Lt.-Col. Jonathan D. Halevi said that Hamas had warned of an upcoming operation on public Telegram channels before the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

Halevi argued that the Oct. 7 attack could have been prevented or greatly curtailed if these Telegram channels were being continuously monitored and analyzed.

Several of the Telegram messages were published just after midnight on Oct. 7, 2023, on a Hamas-run account called “Military Tactics,” founded by Hamas terrorist Rashid al-Masri.

“We say to the Zionist enemy, no one has experienced [the action] that will come to you,” read one of the messages, Israel Hayom reported.

“There are many many many many many surprises,” said another.

“You have been warned,” another message said. “What's coming will be massive.”

The report from Halevi also revealed hints of the coming attack in messages on another Telegram account associated with al-Masri.

“[Message] to Gaza border settlers: before it's too late, run and leave, as we have made an unequivocal decision that has no mercy in it,” the Sept. 18 message said.

“We will turn your skulls into a bridge over which we will cross to Jerusalem and al-Aqsa [mosque]. You are deluding yourselves about your weak army and crumbling government. Nothing will help you except escape. Woe to you from our coming hours [our actions in the near future] which will bring you what no eye has seen and no ear has heard. The revolutionary youth, Gaza Strip. Monday, September 18.”

Halevi did not provide an explanation in his report as to why Israeli intelligence missed or ignored these public messages.