The Islamist terrorist organization Hamas allegedly employed emojis to indicate to its fighters the commencement of the assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. Reports from the Israeli TV channel N12, referring to the Israeli army, revealed that these communications were found on the mobile devices of members of Hamas's elite unit 'Nuchba,' which were confiscated on the day of the attack. However, an Israeli military spokesperson was unable to confirm these reports officially initially, and specifics regarding which emojis were used remain undisclosed.

Reports indicate that, following the receipt of the emoji signal, Hamas fighters congregated at mosques or pre-established meeting points within the Gaza Strip. At these locations, they received further instructions on collecting combat gear either from their homes or from pre-stocked 'combat bags.' This suggests that Hamas had planned the operation meticulously and coordinated the movements of its fighters through innovative use of technology, tapping into mobile communications for tactical advantages.

The reports also mentioned that as part of their preparations, Hamas attackers were equipped with Israeli SIM cards. This indicates an attempt to blend in or obscure their communications with the aim of preventing detection by Israeli intelligence. The use of such tactics showcases the evolving nature of conflict in the region, where conventional military strategies are increasingly supplemented by communication technologies, leading to new challenges for security forces.