Al-Qassam Brigades Salute Shadow Unit for Safeguarding Captives During Gaza War
Elite unit praised for maintaining control over Israeli captives throughout two years of conflict
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, paid tribute to the members of the Shadow Unit in recognition of their role in safeguarding Israeli captives for two consecutive years throughout the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the Qassam Brigades said:
“A deserving salute to the unknown soldiers of the Shadow Unit, who protected the enemy’s captives throughout two years of the Al-Aqsa Flood, under extraordinarily complex conditions.”
The Brigades added that the soldiers of this unit “gave their efforts and blood so that the promise of the resistance to our prisoners—freedom—could be fulfilled.”
What is the Shadow Unit within the Qassam Brigades?
During the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood, the Shadow Unit surpassed the capabilities of the occupation and its allies, operating under highly dangerous and intricate circumstances to protect the captives.
The Shadow Unit is considered one of the most secretive and elite formations within the Qassam Brigades.
It was first revealed in 2016 and entrusted with the mission of securing and hiding enemy captives held by the resistance as a pressure card to ensure successful prisoner exchange deals aimed at breaking the chains of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Members of the Shadow Unit are carefully selected from across brigades and combat formations. They undergo multiple direct and indirect evaluations, along with specialized training to enhance their security, military, and combat capabilities.
Selection criteria include deep commitment to the Palestinian cause and the resistance, a high willingness to sacrifice, intelligence, crisis management skills, as well as exceptional secrecy, discipline, and unique operational abilities.
Origins and Key Operations
The unit was established in 2006 following the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Its first mission was to secure Shalit until the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar (Faithful to the Free) prisoner exchange deal, which liberated 1,050 Palestinian prisoners. It later secured four additional captives in 2014.
The Shadow Unit treats Israeli captives with dignity and in accordance with Islamic principles, providing medical and psychological care—considering, in contrast, the occupation’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
Operating Under Siege and Secrecy
Operating within Gaza—a besieged and narrow coastal strip—renders concealment extremely challenging. Yet, the resistance thwarted the occupation’s declared objective of retrieving all its captives.
The unit relies on advanced deception, camouflage, and diversion tactics. Not once has the occupation succeeded in tracking its movements or identifying its locations, even during prisoner handovers. (PW)