Study: Hamas Used Double Agents to Mislead Shin Bet

Hamas used double agents to feed the Shin Bet false information as late as the eve of October 7, researcher Yehonatan Duhoch-Halevi argues in a study reported by The Jerusalem Post. Published Wednesday by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, the study also examines how prisoner-exchange discussions may have helped conceal military preparations.

The Post cites testimony from a senior figure in Hamas’s military wing who claimed the group uncovered an Israeli espionage network in 2017. According to that account, Hamas recruited some members as double agents. The testimony described false reports of routine conditions in Gaza through the evening of October 6, while Hamas armed and gathered its forces.

The Post also describes findings from Israel’s own investigations. The IDF investigation said warnings of an attack arrived on October 6 alongside reassuring signs, without explaining those signs. The Shin Bet investigation reported that intelligence agents had described Hamas activity as routine before the attack.

Duhoch-Halevi also assessed the role of former Palestinian Authority minister for prisoner affairs Sufian Abu Zayda, who served as a contact for prisoner-exchange discussions. According to the Post, the researcher argued that the talks helped create an impression that Hamas wanted an agreement. He assessed that former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s scheduled October 8 meeting with Zayda may have helped conceal continuing military preparations.

These claims about double agents and the purpose of the prisoner talks are the researcher’s findings and assessments, not newly verified Israeli intelligence. The Post reports them alongside the Israeli investigations’ findings about reassuring information received before the attack.