Al-Qassam’s QR Code Tactic Marks New Phase in Psychological Warfare with Israel
Hamas’ military wing releases video with QR code linking to Israeli army’s own list of dead soldiers, marking a new front in psychological warfare
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have released a video containing a QR code that delivers a direct and urgent warning to Israel: expanding its military operations in Gaza City will result in more dead soldiers — and potentially captives.
Posted on the group’s Telegram channel under the title “Urgent Warning” in both Arabic and Hebrew, the video featured images of 45 Israeli captives without disclosing their fate, alongside footage of one captive covering his face in apparent regret.
The accompanying message stated:
“You will pay the price for your decision to expand your criminal operations in Gaza City — with the deaths of your soldiers and captives.”
Turning Israel’s Tactics Against It
The move drew significant attention on social media, with commentators describing it as a “qualitative leap” in the psychological and media war.
Analysts noted that the resistance used the same QR code tool the Israeli army typically employs to issue evacuation orders to Gaza residents — but this time, it was aimed at delivering a counter-message directly to Israelis.
At the start of the video, scanning the QR code redirects viewers to an Israeli army website listing names and images of soldiers killed in the war — a symbolic and psychological blow after nearly two years of fighting.
Commentators highlighted that while Palestinians have long received QR code warnings from the occupation to evacuate their homes, Al-Qassam has now used the same method to warn Israelis that any military expansion will mean “more coffins.”
A Dual Message
Observers say the message carried two layers:
A direct warning to Israel about the human cost of its expanded offensive.
A signal that the fate of the captives is tied to the fate of Israeli soldiers on the battlefield.
Social media users praised Al-Qassam’s ability to innovate in media and psychological warfare with minimal resources, despite over 22 months of continuous combat and a crippling siege on Gaza.
Previous Threats and Current Context
The warning comes after Al-Qassam vowed on August 29 that Israel would pay for its plan to occupy Gaza City “in the blood of its soldiers,” stressing that Israeli captives would be kept in active combat zones alongside fighters, sharing the same dangers and conditions.
According to Israeli estimates, there are 48 captives in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. In contrast, over 10,800 Palestinians remain imprisoned in Israel, enduring torture, starvation, and medical neglect — with many having died in detention, according to Palestinian rights groups and media. (PW)