Civic Intelligence Initiatives During the Israel-Hamas 2023-2025 War
By: Dudi Siman-Tov and Shoval Ben-Yair
This chapter is an English translation to a chapter originally published in Hebrew, as part of the book "Intelligence and October 7" (2025).
Abstract
During the Israel-Hamas 2023-2025 War, several intelligence-like civilian initiatives operated, resembling classical intelligence processes – including the collection, processing, and dissemination of information to support operations and decision-making. These initiatives included operations rooms to locate missing persons; efforts to identify Hamas operations; public diplomacy initiatives; and projects to monitor disinformation and foreign influence. The article outlines their advantages, including rapid response, the use of cutting-edge technologies, and organizational innovation, alongside dilemmas of synchronization, quality, and ethics. Its contribution extends beyond empirical analysis, offering two theoretical perspectives for conceptualizing this phenomenon, and inviting a reconceptualization of intelligence. The case studies illustrate both the potential for cooperation between the intelligence community and the initiatives, and the need for institutional models that enable controlled, collaborative, and effective solutions for the challenges posed by crises.
Read the full chapter in PDF format
This chapter is an English translation to a chapter originally published in Hebrew, as part of the book "Intelligence and October 7" (2025).
Abstract
During the Israel-Hamas 2023-2025 War, several intelligence-like civilian initiatives operated, resembling classical intelligence processes – including the collection, processing, and dissemination of information to support operations and decision-making. These initiatives included operations rooms to locate missing persons; efforts to identify Hamas operations; public diplomacy initiatives; and projects to monitor disinformation and foreign influence. The article outlines their advantages, including rapid response, the use of cutting-edge technologies, and organizational innovation, alongside dilemmas of synchronization, quality, and ethics. Its contribution extends beyond empirical analysis, offering two theoretical perspectives for conceptualizing this phenomenon, and inviting a reconceptualization of intelligence. The case studies illustrate both the potential for cooperation between the intelligence community and the initiatives, and the need for institutional models that enable controlled, collaborative, and effective solutions for the challenges posed by crises.
Read the full chapter in PDF format
