Hamas Secret Army in Lebanon: Iran-Backed Military Force

Sensitive documents captured by the Israel Defense Forces during operations in Gaza have revealed a long-term strategic plan by Hamas to establish an independent military force in Lebanon. The materials, analyzed by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, show that Hamas worked to build a fighting force on Lebanese soil that would operate alongside Hezbollah and open an additional front against Israel as part of a coordinated multi-arena campaign.

According to the findings, the initiative dates back to 2012, when senior Hamas officials held clandestine meetings with Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and representatives of Iran's Qods Force. These discussions resulted in an initial agreement to create an autonomous military infrastructure in Lebanon, including combat cells, rocket systems, and plans for ground incursions into Israeli territory.

From Planning to Operations: 2012 to 2021

The infrastructure Hamas built in Lebanon became operational during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021. During that conflict, Hamas launched rockets from southern Lebanon with Hezbollah's approval and established a joint command center in Beirut with Iranian representatives. These actions demonstrated that Hamas's military presence in Lebanon had moved beyond theory into active operations.

Following Guardian of the Walls, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar accelerated plans to dramatically expand the Lebanese operation. Documents from 2022 indicate ambitions to build a force of approximately 2,000 fighters who would operate alongside Hezbollah's Radwan Force. The plan relied on local production of weapons and missiles in Lebanon, professional training programs, recruitment from Palestinian refugee camps, and cooperation with local Islamist groups.

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions and Power Struggles

The captured documents also expose significant tensions between Hamas and its Iranian and Hezbollah sponsors. While Hamas insisted on maintaining full operational independence, Iran and Hezbollah sought tighter oversight to prevent an escalation into all-out war at a time that didn't suit their interests. These frictions reflect the complexity within the so-called "axis of resistance" and each party's efforts to protect its own strategic priorities.

To maintain secrecy and operational security, Hamas kept the Lebanese operation isolated from political disputes abroad and enforced strict confidentiality protocols. The organization sought to prevent early exposure that would allow Israel to prepare an appropriate response.

From Blueprint to Reality: The Military Wing in Action

Though the full plan was never completely realized, Hamas's military wing in Lebanon joined the fighting after October 7, 2023, claiming responsibility for multiple attacks against northern Israel. This active involvement illustrates that the Lebanese presence was part of a broader, carefully planned strategic concept aimed at opening another front against Israel within a multi-arena framework.

The intelligence disclosure adds to a series of revelations about Hamas's plans to expand the conflict. The IDF recently warned soldiers along the Yellow Line about Hamas attempts to reshape the narrative on the ground. Additionally, former U.S. President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with senior Hamas figures in Egypt and pressed for immediate disarmament.

The documents provide further evidence of the deception strategy Hamas employed toward Israel. As recently revealed, regional actors advised Hamas to reach an agreement with Israel in order to lull it into complacency while preparing for a larger confrontation—the same approach Sinwar adopted before October 7.