TL/DR –
The CIA is reportedly gathering intelligence on senior Hamas leaders and hostage locations in Gaza to aid Israel in its ongoing conflict. A task force was formed after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 240 hostages. Although the CIA’s task force does not have new legal powers, it has nonetheless increased the priority level of intelligence collection on Hamas, with the U.S. stepping up drone surveillance over Gaza and intercepting communications among Hamas officials.
CIA Collecting Intelligence on Hamas for Israel, U.S. Officials Revealed
The CIA is gathering data on Hamas leaders and hostage locations in Gaza, sharing this intelligence with Israel in the ongoing conflict, U.S. officials disclosed.
Following the devastating Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, a new task force has been formed, shedding light on Hamas’s top leadership, according to anonymous U.S officials privy to sensitive intelligence.
Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser, ordered the task force’s formation and increased intelligence gathering on Hamas leaders right after the attack.
The task force’s establishment has not invoked new legal powers, but the White House has upped the ante on collecting Hamas intelligence.
Effectiveness of Collected Intelligence
The utility of the collected data for Israel remains uncertain, as none of Hamas’s senior leaders have been apprehended or eliminated. The U.S. does not provide intel on low or mid-level Hamas operatives to Israel.
Prior to the attack, Israel estimated Hamas’s force to be around 20,000 – 25,000 fighters. By the end of 2023, Israel reportedly claimed to have taken out about a third of this force, according to U.S. officials.
Nevertheless, some U.S. officials argue that targeting low-level members is unproductive as their easy replacement could replenish Hamas’s fighting force and pose undue risk to civilians. They cite Gaza’s Health Ministry’s report of 23,000 Palestinian casualties—mostly civilians—from the Israeli military campaign.
However, targeting key players like Yahya Sinwar, suspected mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack, or Mohammed Deif, Hamas’s military wing commander, could be pivotal for Israel. Such a success could potentially offer Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more leeway to end the military campaign in Gaza.
Increased Collection on Hamas
The U.S. has also augmented collection on Hamas with increased drone flights over Gaza and enhanced efforts to intercept Hamas official communications.
Prior to the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas was a level four priority, implying limited resources dedicated to intelligence collection. Since then, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees intelligence priorities, elevated Hamas to a level two priority.
Shift in Priority and Funding
This priority elevation brings additional funding for intelligence gathering and potentially increases the CIA’s Hamas-related data collection range and volume.
The new priority also opens up funds for the CIA to develop human sources, per current and former officials. With access and regular communication with Gaza being challenging, establishing new sources will require time.
The U.S. military is urging Israel to focus its campaign on eliminating top leaders instead of broader strikes causing civilian casualties. U.S. generals have visited Israel post-Oct. 7 to advise on implementing a more targeted plan.
Concerns Over Israel’s Intelligence on Hamas
The Oct. 7 attack highlighted significant gaps in Israel’s intelligence on Hamas. This has led to questions among U.S. officials about the extent of information Israel shared.
In 2022, Israel gathered intelligence showing Hamas’s elaborate multiwave attack plan on Israel, code-named Jericho Wall. However, the information wasn’t shared widely because some Israeli intelligence officials believed Hamas couldn’t execute the plan at the time.
Hostage Situation in Gaza
Locating the hostages and gathering information about their conditions is a priority task for the new force. CIA Director William J. Burns has been collaborating with David Barnea, Mossad spy agency’s chief, to negotiate their release.
In November, 109 hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire, thanks to U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediation. Around 130 hostages are believed to still be held captive in Gaza. The U.S and Israel are hoping for another exchange, but Hamas insists that any further hostage releases should be tied to a permanent cease-fire.
Increased Efforts Against Hamas
The U.S. is not negotiating directly with Hamas. Instead, Mr. Burns and Mr. Barnea have been engaging with Qatari officials, who act as intermediaries with Hamas’s political leadership. Moreover, the F.B.I. and Justice Department have escalated their fight against Hamas by investigating Americans who fund the group.
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