Military analyst Nidal Abu Zaid reveals how Hamas used protests to fool 'Israel'

• Nidal Abu Zaid gave a military analysis on Roya's Nabd Al Balad program.
• He explained how Hamas' Shadow Unit used fake protests to move 'Israeli' captives.
• The tactic aimed to mislead the 'Israeli' army and intelligence.

What began as a striking military analysis by military affairs expert Nidal Abu Zaid in a recent appearance on Roya's Nabd Al Balad program has turned into a documented reality confirmed by confessions from released 'Israeli' captives.

Abu Zaid had revealed the innovative tactics used by the Shadow Unit, one of the most secretive formations within the Qassam Brigades, which employed “fake demonstrations” as a cover to smuggle captives and mislead the 'Israeli' army. These revelations have now been confirmed, proving the accuracy of his analysis and exposing a deep 'Israeli' intelligence failure.

- Abu Zaid’s analysis: “Fake protests”… a psychological deception tactic -

In his widely discussed analysis, Abu Zaid explained that using demonstrations as a cover for smuggling operations is “a real-life translation” of the military spokesperson Abu Obaida’s promise of “a long and complex battle.”

In January 2025, according to intelligence reports, the unit took advantage of “organized demonstrations” against Hamas in northern Gaza, which were later revealed to be a smokescreen to transfer 'Israeli' captives to the south.

According to Abu Zaid, the tactic relies on three main elements:

• Crowd camouflage: Captives are moved through crowds, where noise and chaos help conceal any electronic signals that 'Israeli' surveillance systems might detect.
• Coordination with martyrdom cells: In the final stage, captives are handed over to groups tasked with providing ultimate protection, or executing the captives to prevent their rescue if 'Israeli' forces approach.
• Psychological impact: Abu Zaid argues this tactic “threatens Israel strategically and in the media,” highlighting the army’s failure to recover captives alive except in rare cases.

- Confessions reveal the truth -

Abu Zaid’s analysis did not remain theoretical. Confessions from 'Israeli' captives recently released by Al-Qassam confirmed the information beyond doubt.

This revelation sparked wide reactions on social media, where activists reshared Abu Zaid’s analysis, praising its accuracy and credibility.

Many users described the Shadow Unit as “the secret weapon that broke the arrogance of the Zionist beast,” seeing the successful deception as a victory in the war of minds and intelligence.

- Strategic impact: Intelligence failure and a blow to 'Israel’s' “arrogance” -

Abu Zaid believes 'Israel’s' failure to infiltrate this unit and uncover its plans stems from “the erosion of its military readiness” and its focus on destruction and forced displacement rather than precise intelligence work.

The Shadow Unit has succeeded in turning the captives into an “unbeatable bargaining chip,” which became evident in recent deals where captives were handed over to the Red Cross without any losses among the unit’s members.

- Who is the Shadow Unit? -

The Shadow Unit is an elite, highly secretive formation within the Al-Qassam Brigades, created with one primary mission: to capture and hide 'Israeli' soldiers as a strategic bargaining tool.

Its role became especially prominent during the five-year disappearance of Gilad Shalit (2006–2011), which ended with a prisoner swap, securing the release of over a thousand Palestinian political prisoners.

Abu Zaid’s analysis, now confirmed, shows that the Shadow Unit’s success is not just tactical. It represents a victory in psychological and strategic warfare. In besieged Gaza, the unit has demonstrated that real power lies not only in weapons, but also in secrecy, ideology, and intelligence in managing conflict.