Captured Hamas Document Details Seven-Day Training Course for 121 Recruits

A captured Hamas military document found by Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip in early 2025 outlines a seven-day training course for 121 new recruits in the Shejaia Battalion. The document, revealed on Tuesday, lists instruction in Israeli weapons such as M16 and Tavor rifles, attacks on armored vehicles, battlefield first aid, and counter-drone tactics.

It also includes lessons from the October 7 attack and procedures for combat documentation intended for social media distribution.

The program followed a tight schedule because of concerns that the ceasefire could end. Recruits received ideological and religious instruction along with an oath of loyalty to the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades that stressed obedience, equipment protection, and information security.

Hamas commander Izz ad-Din al-Haddad directed efforts to rebuild command structures at the platoon, company, and battalion levels after losses to the chain of command. The same document states that similar training occurred in three additional battalions, each with 12 instructors.

Israeli assessments indicate the recruitment and training model may have been used in other units during pauses in fighting. The findings align with earlier security assessments that Hamas continued attempts to restore its military capabilities during the ceasefire.