One of the more secretive and strategic military units within Ezz ad-din al Qassam Brigades, “Shadow Unit” (Wahdat al-Dhil), plays a crucial role in its long-term action against Zionist entity. Tasked with securing and concealing Zionist prisoners held in Gaza, this covert force operates under strict secrecy, ensuring that captives remain within what is commonly denoted to as “circle of unknown.” Little is publicly known about this unit’s structure, operations, or personnel, but its existence has been pivotal in high-stake prisoner exchanges and negotiations.

Origins and Role

This unit seems to have been established in 2006 following capture of Zionist soldier Gilad Shalit. It successfully concealed Shalit from Zionist agencies, including Mossad, for nearly five years, leading to “Wafa al-Ahrar” (Shalit) prisoner exchange deal in 2011, which resulted in the release of 1,050 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit.

Structure and Operations

• “Shadow Unit” is believed to be directly supervised by Mohammed Deif, commander-in-chief of Qassam Brigades.
• It is responsible for securing and hiding Zionist captives, preventing intelligence leaks, and ensuring they remain a bargaining tool in negotiations.
• Since 2014, the unit has detained four Zionist captives, including two soldiers captured during the 2014 war and two civilians who entered Gaza under unclear circumstances.
• After October 7, 2023 (Aqsa storm) attack, this unit played a major role in securing and managing 200–250 Israeli hostages taken to Gaza.

Selection Criteria

• Members of “Shadow Unit” are said to be chosen based on “golden scale” of strict qualifications, requiring high intelligence, crisis management skills, and discretion.
• Since 2008, at least five of its members may have been killed in Zionist strikes.

Treatment of Prisoners

• Qassam Brigade claims that “Shadow Unit” treats enemy prisoners with dignity and respect in accordance with Islamic teachings. American reports often seek to challenge this claim, particularly in the context of hostage conditions and past prisoner exchanges.

Source: Al Jazeera Mubasher