Hamas officials establish new security protocols due to concerns about Israeli assassination plot

Hamas leaders have introduced stricter security protocols following concerns over potential Israeli assassination attempts beyond Palestinian borders, according to senior members of the group speaking to Asharq al-Awsat.

The move comes after the killing of Hezbollah official Haytham Ali Tabatabai in late November, which heightened fears that Israel may target high-ranking figures outside the region. Leadership within Hamas has been increasingly vigilant since the recent strike in Doha, convinced that Israel possesses advanced capabilities to track and eliminate their top officials.

The new guidelines specify that leaders must maintain a minimum distance of 70 meters between cell phones and meeting locations, and all medical and electronic devices, including smartwatches, should be kept away. Additionally, meeting areas are to be rigorously checked to prevent hidden surveillance equipment, as Israeli operatives reportedly plant cameras or monitoring devices during building maintenance in locations considered potential targets.

The directives warn that Israel employs multiple methods to surveil individuals, including human operatives such as cleaning personnel, acquaintances close to targets, and electronic tools like mobile phones, screens, and air conditioning units. The document further notes that simply turning off devices does not eliminate tracking risks, as any WiFi-enabled gadget could be hacked, and smartwatches may be used to estimate the number of occupants in a room.

Hamas officials indicated that potential threats could come from non-Arab states, though no specific countries were mentioned. Despite reassurances from the United States to mediators involved in the Gaza agreements, including Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, the group remains distrustful of Israeli intentions.

Previous targeted strikes include the Doha attack in September 2025, the killing of former deputy Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut in January 2024, and the assassination of former political bureau head Ismail Haniyah in Tehran in July 2024. Israels actions have prompted Hamas to bolster security precautions to protect its leadership from future operations abroad.

Author: Olivia Parker