Localized raids conducted by IDF discover bodies and Hamas invasion plans while searching for captives in Gaza

Israel Defense Forces conducted localized raids in the Gaza Strip on Friday evening in order to clear the area of terrorists and weapons, and hopefully locate missing persons from the deadly invasion and attack by the Hamas terror organization last Saturday.

Groups of infantry and light armored forces conducted raids into the Strip, collecting information about the captives while neutralizing terrorists in the area, including a Hamas group that fired an anti-tank missile at IDF troops.

While Israeli forces did not recover any of the missing persons still alive, they did recover information and several items on the bodies that may help locate other missing persons or those being held captive in Gaza, confirmed IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari.

The local raids mark the first time since the outbreak of the war that the IDF has confirmed its forces entering the Gaza Strip.

The IDF also recovered maps and secret documents from the bodies of the dead Hamas terrorists which showed the scope and detail that went into planning the invasion.

“Top Secret,” read the Arabic text on the seized documents and maps.

The documents provide evidence that Hamas had instructed terrorists to harm women and children.

One of the documents contained instructions to “eliminate as many people as possible, and to kidnap prisoners back to the Gaza Strip.”

Documents and maps seized on the bodies of the terrorists reveal the extent of the preparations, as well as the intelligence available to the terrorists.

Based on the findings, the Hamas terrorists were reportedly well prepared for fighting and had planned to murder and kidnap citizens in the communities in the area well in advance.

According to one report, two Hamas-trained terrorist squads were sent to surround Kibbutz Sa’ad, infiltrate it, and harm as many civilians as possible, including children. Documents and maps provide clear instructions for the terrorists to attempt to abduct children from school, even though the attack took place on Shabbat, when there was no school for Jewish students.

“Assault Unit No. 1 is intended to surround the Da'at school,” while “Assault Unit No. 2 is intended to collect abductees and captives, scan the Bnei Akiva youth center, and search the Da'at school,” reads the document.

BREAKING: Hamas intentionally targeted elementary schools in Israel, instructed terrorists to seize hostages, move them into Gaza, and to "kill as many people as possible," maps and documents recovered from the bodies of attackers show. https://t.co/UL0vlypmrh

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 13, 2023

Another group was instructed to secure the eastern side of the kibbutz to prevent IDF troops from reaching the terrorists who were already operating in the kibbutz.

One page labeled “Top Secret” outlines a plan of attack for Kfar Sa’ad, saying “Combat unit 1” is directed to “contain the new Da’at school,” while “Combat unit 2” is to “collect hostages,” “search the Bnei Akiva youth center” and “search the old Da’at school.” pic.twitter.com/Al3lKx8V87

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 13, 2023

According to NBC News, video of Hamas terrorists infiltrating the kibbutz “shows tactics similar to those shown in the secret documents seized from the bodies of the terrorists.”

Besides Kibbutz Sa’ad, the documents also indicated the communities of Alumim, Nahal Oz and Kfar Azza as targets for the attacks.

IDF officers were reportedly shocked at the level of detailed planning and knowledge of the communities used by Hamas in preparation for the deadly invasion and attack last Saturday.