New Footage Reveals Mohammed Deif and Hamas Pre-October 7 Planning

Recent media reports have shed new light on the inner workings of Hamas prior to the October 7 conflict. Al Jazeera recently aired a documentary-style segment titled 'More is Hidden than Revealed,' which includes rare footage of Mohammed Deif, the long-time head of Hamas’s military wing who was killed during the war in Gaza. The footage offers a chilling look at the strategic preparations undertaken by the organization’s leadership while operating in deep secrecy.

One of the most significant segments of the broadcast shows Deif inside a Hamas command center, actively involved in the planning stages for the October 7 assault. While previous images of Deif have been blurred or obscured, these new clips provide a clearer, albeit still limited, view of his role in coordinating the military operations. The program also introduced a figure identified as the new commander of the Gaza City Brigade, referred to by the alias 'Abu Obeida,' who discussed Deif’s influence on the group’s technological and military development.

The broadcast further highlights the internal dynamics between Hamas’s top brass. In one notable sequence, a conversation between Yahya Sinwar and Deif regarding the 2021 'Guardian of the Walls' ceasefire is shown. Sinwar is seen in an underground tunnel, addressing Deif by his kunya, 'Abu Khaled,' and expressing reverence for his leadership. This interaction underscores the deep-seated hierarchy and the collaborative nature of the group’s decision-making processes during periods of regional tension.

Beyond the strategic meetings, the footage provides a rare look at the physical infrastructure of Hamas. The network aired clips showing top leaders, including Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Deif, visiting a missile production workshop. Previously, only still photographs of such facilities had been made public. Additionally, the documentary features the leadership holding a meeting within an underground tunnel network, illustrating the extent of the subterranean infrastructure that has been central to Hamas's survival and operational capacity.

This release serves as a reminder of the extensive, long-term planning that preceded the events of October 7. By showcasing the leadership in their operational environment, the footage provides analysts and the public with a clearer understanding of how Hamas functioned under the radar for years. The inclusion of figures like Marwan Issa and Mohammed Sinwar in these meetings highlights the collective responsibility of the group's hierarchy in orchestrating the violence that ultimately led to the current war. The documentation remains a critical piece of evidence regarding the organization's internal structure and its relentless focus on military escalation.