They hide in residential neighborhoods, concealing their weapons in miles of tunnels and in various locations such as houses, mosques, sofas, and even a child’s bedroom. This blurs the line between civilians and combatants. They come out of hiding in plain clothes, sometimes wearing sandals or tracksuits, to attack Israeli troops, plant mines on vehicles, or launch rockets from civilian areas. They booby-trap abandoned homes, luring Israeli soldiers to enter by leaving signs of a Hamas presence.
Throughout eight months of fighting in Gaza, Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, has fought as a decentralized and mostly hidden force. Instead of facing Israeli troops head-on, most Hamas fighters have retreated from their bases, launching surprise attacks on small groups of soldiers to counter Israel’s technological and numerical advantage.
Hamas’s strategy has led to significant casualties among Palestinians in Gaza, with nearly 2 percent of the prewar population killed and roughly 80 percent displaced. However, fewer than 350 Israeli soldiers have died in Gaza during the invasion.
Despite the devastation in Gaza, Hamas’s tactics have helped achieve some of its goals. The war has damaged Israel’s reputation globally, sparked debates within Israeli society, and reignited discussions about Palestinian statehood.
Hamas’s survival can be attributed to its use of tactics such as utilizing a vast network of tunnels, concealing fighters in civilian infrastructure, ambushing Israeli soldiers, and prolonging the conflict to attract international criticism of Israel.
Hamas members defend their use of civilian attire and homes, arguing that it is necessary for a resistance movement. The group’s response to Israel’s ground invasion in October 2021 became a blueprint for its strategy, with fighters retreating into tunnels and ambushing Israeli forces as they advanced into Gaza.
Hamas had prepared for a ground war by increasing production of explosives and anti-tank missiles, expanding its tunnel network, and creating entry points in houses across Gaza. By the start of the war, Hamas was well-equipped to continue its guerrilla warfare tactics.