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The militant Palestinian organisation Hamas used emojis to signal to its fighters the start of the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli TV channel N12 reported on Monday.
It cited the Israeli army as its source but a military spokeswoman was initially unable to officially confirm the story.
According to the report, the emojis were found on mobile phones belonging to members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba Forces unit, which were seized by the Israelis on the day of the attack. The specific emojis were not disclosed.
Militants from Hamas and other extremist groups killed more than 1,200 people in Israel in the assault and took more than 250 others hostage in Gaza.
The unprecedented attack on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza says more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since then.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported that Hamas fighters had moved to mosques or designated assembly points in Gaza after receiving the emoji signal.
There, they received instructions to collect combat equipment from home or from “combat bags” kept in stock.
As part of the preparations for the attack, the Hamas attackers had also equipped themselves with Israeli SIM cards, the news portal ynet reported.
According to media reports, the Israeli domestic intelligence service Shin Bet had noticed on the eve of October 7 that several dozen SIM cards had been activated in Gaza, including Israeli ones.
Shin Bet then informed military intelligence. However, consultations led to the conclusion that this was not an unusual incident.
According to N12, the emojis were also sent during two previous Hamas attack attempts, which ultimately did not materialise.


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An Israeli strike on a building in Gaza City on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

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Protesters gather in front of parliamment in Canberra ahead of a meeting between Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog (left) meets with Australia·s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday. Photo: dpa

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Citing the army, Israeli media reported that emojis were found on mobile phones belonging to members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba Forces unit


Citing the army, Israeli media reported that emojis were found on mobile phones belonging to members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba Forces unit.


Hamas ‘used emojis’ to signal start of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Citing the army, Israeli media reported that emojis were found on mobile phones belonging to members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba Forces unit

Citing the army, Israeli media reported that emojis were found on mobile phones belonging to members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba Forces unit