Hamas: Communication Network via Special Hubs, Written Messages

Tunnel for Hamas in Khan Yunis.The tunnels have communication hubs to facilitate secure communication among the movement’s leaders (AFP)
Tunnel for Hamas in Khan Yunis.The tunnels have communication hubs to facilitate secure communication among the movement’s leaders (AFP)
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Hamas: Communication Network via Special Hubs, Written Messages

Tunnel for Hamas in Khan Yunis.The tunnels have communication hubs to facilitate secure communication among the movement’s leaders (AFP)
Tunnel for Hamas in Khan Yunis.The tunnels have communication hubs to facilitate secure communication among the movement’s leaders (AFP)

In the thick of protracted Israeli war operations in Gaza, spanning over three months, the Hamas leadership is tackling increased scrutiny by intensifying its implementation of security measures, particularly in communication.

Hamas is maintaining heightened security for internal communications in Gaza, interactions with its armed wing (Al-Qassam Brigades), and communication with the group’s leaders abroad.

In order to uphold confidentiality, Hamas employs a covert communication system, starting with a dedicated ground network and evolving into a rudimentary method of human communication through written messages.

This comes at a time Hamas officials are compelled to engage in more stringent communication for discussions on war decisions, ceasefire proposals, and exchange deals.

Decisions on the fate of any proposal or deal lie with the Gaza leadership, leading to ongoing discreet discussions to prevent information leaks.

Hamas leaders use a unique communication system, especially with those abroad, given the frequent disruption of communications and the internet in Gaza, sources close to the group told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The system is also employed to avoid Israeli surveillance.

During the early stages of the Israeli war, Hamas relied on a ground communications network, developed by engineers from its military wing in 2009.

The technology has been periodically upgraded using equipment likely smuggled through tunnels along the Egyptian border.

Al-Qassam Brigades also installed underground switchboards connected to very old landline phones at specific points above ground. These setups are regularly checked and undergo monthly maintenance to prevent breaches.

Hamas leaders, whether in politics or the military, each have individual emergency contact points, each with a specific number for communication, sources revealed.

Israel was aware of this system and tried multiple times to breach it, including attempts to target it directly.

In an undeclared war in May 2018, Israel succeeded in detonating an explosive-rigged communication hub in Gaza, resulting in the assassination of Al-Qassam engineers.

Before and after that incident, Israel made several attempts to breach the system, including a special force infiltration in November 2018 that was discovered during a mission in Khan Yunis, leading to their extraction under fire and the loss of two members.

Despite Israeli forces targeting and destroying certain communication points, including tunnels with key communication hubs, it seems that Hamas has managed to maintain these channels.

Sources say that even though the communication network suffered damage, the leadership of the movement continued to operate through these hubs, including using them for the intense communications that led to the conclusion of a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire.

Engineers from the Al-Qassam Brigades were reportedly successful in restoring some of these hubs and activating new communication points.



Where Do Trade Talks Stand in the Rush to Avert Higher US Tariffs?

FILE PHOTO: A container is loaded onto a cargo ship while docked at Hai Phong port, after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for many countries, in Hai Phong, Vietnam, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A container is loaded onto a cargo ship while docked at Hai Phong port, after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for many countries, in Hai Phong, Vietnam, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo/File Photo
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Where Do Trade Talks Stand in the Rush to Avert Higher US Tariffs?

FILE PHOTO: A container is loaded onto a cargo ship while docked at Hai Phong port, after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for many countries, in Hai Phong, Vietnam, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A container is loaded onto a cargo ship while docked at Hai Phong port, after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for many countries, in Hai Phong, Vietnam, April 16, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo/File Photo

As a Wednesday deadline approaches for steeper US tariffs to hit dozens of economies ranging from the EU to India, trade negotiations with President Donald Trump's administration are coming down to the wire.

The levies taking effect July 9 were announced in April, with the White House citing a lack of "reciprocity" in trade relations. But they were swiftly halted, allowing room for talks.

Days before their reimposition, where do things stand?

EU: 'Ready' for deal

The European Union said it is "ready for a deal" with Washington, with the bloc's trade chief meeting his US counterparts Thursday.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was targeting an "agreement in principle" when it came to the July 9 cutoff, AFP reported.

With no deal, the US tariff on EU goods doubles from the "baseline" of 10 percent to 20 percent -- with Trump previously threatening a 50 percent level.

Vietnam: A pact with uncertainties

Washington and Hanoi unveiled a trade pact Wednesday with much fanfare and few details, but it allowed Vietnam to avoid Trump's initial 46 percent tariff.

Under the agreement, Vietnamese goods face a minimum 20 percent tariff while products made elsewhere face a 40 percent levy -- a clause to restrict "transshipping" by Chinese groups.

But there remain questions on how the higher levy would apply to products using foreign parts.

There is also a risk that Beijing will adopt retaliatory measures, analysts warned.

Japan: Rice, autos at stake

Despite being a close US ally and major source of foreign investment, Japan might not escape Trump's tariff hike.

Tokyo's trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa has made numerous trips to Washington through the end of June.

But Trump recently criticized what he described as Japan's reluctance to open up further to US rice and auto exports.

"I'm not sure we're going to make a deal," Trump said, adding that the country could pay a tariff of "30 percent, 35 percent, or whatever the number is that we determine."

India: A good position

Indian manufacturers and exporters want to believe they can avoid a 26 percent tariff.

Negotiations between both countries have been going well for weeks, and Trump himself suggested at the end of June that a "very big" agreement was imminent.

Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, said the feedback he received "suggests positive developments." But he maintained that the situation was fluid.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stressed that agriculture and dairy products remain "very big red lines."

South Korea: Muted optimism

Seoul, which is already reeling from US tariffs on steel and autos, wants to avert a sweeping 25 percent levy on its other exports.

Cooperation in shipbuilding could be a bargaining chip, but "at this stage, both sides still haven't clearly defined what exactly they want," said new President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday.

"I can't say with confidence that we'll be able to wrap everything up by July 8," he added.

Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan in the wings

Other Asian economies including Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, which faces a 49 percent tariff, wait with bated breath.

Indonesia has indicated willingness to boost energy, agriculture and merchandise imports from the United States. Bangladesh meanwhile is proposing to buy Boeing planes and step up imports of US agriculture products.

Taiwan, for whom Washington is a vital security partner, faces a 32 percent duty without a pact.

Although both sides have faced bumps along the way, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said "negotiators from both sides are working diligently" to find a path forward.

Switzerland: Hope for delay

Switzerland's government said Washington has acknowledged it was acting in good faith, and assumes its tariff level will remain at 10 percent on July 9 while negotiations continue.

But without a decision by the president as of the end of June, Switzerland did not rule out that levies could still rise to a promised 31 percent.