Al Jazeera Broadcasts Rare Footage and Documents Alleging Hamas Planned October 7 Attack Months in Advance

Key points

• Al Jazeera’s program 'What Is Hidden Is Greater' broadcast footage of Muhammad Deif and senior Hamas military commanders meeting in tunnels before October 7, 2023.
• The broadcast included a video of Deif walking through a tunnel during the war, wearing a hat and speaking with companions.
• Documents released by Al Jazeera allegedly detail an operational order signed by Deif on October 5, 2023, following a six-hour staff meeting, specifying a 6:30 a.m. start time for the attack.
• Another document, reportedly from a February 2023 meeting of Hamas’s inner military command, allegedly records the decision to begin preparing for the attack months before it was carried out.
• The footage identified several commanders, including Marwan Issa, Mohammed Sinwar, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Ra'ad Sa'ad, Ahmed Randour, and Rafa'a Salameh.
• A recording of a conversation between Deif and Yahya Sinwar, allegedly from after the 2021 Operation Guardian of the Walls, was also aired.

Background

This development follows recent disclosures by Gaza-based photojournalist Motaz Azaiza, who admitted in September 2026 to withholding footage of Israeli hostages being beaten by a mob on October 7, 2023, to protect the perpetrators from Israeli retaliation. Azaiza also criticized Hamas leadership for prolonging the war and suppressing dissent through centralized media control. The current release by Al Jazeera adds to a growing body of evidence and testimony regarding the planning and execution of the October 7 attack, though it remains unverified by independent third parties.

Why it matters

The release of this footage and documents by Al Jazeera provides a rare, direct look at the internal planning and command structure of Hamas’s military wing ahead of the October 7 attack. If verified, the documents could serve as critical evidence in international legal proceedings and historical records, potentially influencing narratives around the origins of the conflict and the timeline of Hamas’s decision-making. The footage also offers a glimpse into the operational environment and leadership dynamics within Hamas during a critical period.

What to watch

Independent verification of the footage and documents is the next critical step. International investigators, journalists, and legal bodies may seek to authenticate the materials to determine their authenticity and relevance to ongoing or future legal proceedings. The release may also prompt further scrutiny of Hamas’s internal command structure and the timeline of its decision to launch the October 7 attack.