Following the onset of the October 7th attacks in Israel, and the subsequent emergence of graphic imagery, observers quickly focused on the attire of Hamas militants. Their uniforms, or indeed the absence of them, offer significant insights into the nature of the conflict and the messages Hamas seeks to convey to both allies and adversaries. This analysis delves into the strategic deployment of the Hamas Uniform and its multifaceted implications.
Initial reports from Israeli news outlets like i24 News and UK’s The Sun alleged that “terrorists wore our uniforms” and that “Hamas terrorists used IDF uniform disguise.” Videos from the attacks did appear to show Hamas fighters in olive-green uniforms, closely resembling those of the Israel Defense Forces. These claims suggest Hamas engaged in a war crime by potentially using enemy uniforms for deception, while simultaneously painting Hamas as a less disciplined, terrorist entity rather than a conventional military force.
As Israel retaliated with strikes on Gaza, social media commentary quickly highlighted videos released by the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, depicting fighters in civilian clothing. Pro-Israel voices argued this indicated Hamas’s practice of using civilians as human shields and embedding within civilian populations. Further, some commentators cynically suggested that Palestinian casualties reported as civilians might actually be militants stripped of their uniforms, thus implying an exaggeration of civilian death tolls from Israeli bombardments in Gaza. Jonathan Conricus, an IDF spokesperson, posted on X, questioning the uniform status of Hamas combatants and suggesting the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry would misclassify them as civilians upon death. This statement, lacking concrete evidence, was juxtaposed with GoPro footage showing civilian-clad individuals engaging IDF armor with RPGs.
Conversely, supporters of Palestine and Hamas interpreted the lack of Hamas uniform in certain videos quite differently. One now-deleted X account celebrated Hamas fighters destroying Israeli equipment, noting the “Adidas T-shirt + RPG” tactic. Another post on X featured a still image of a Hamas fighter in Adidas track pants emerging from a tunnel, transforming it into a meme. Featuring the Adidas logo and slogan “Impossible is nothing,” the meme circulated across X and Instagram, including an Iraqi meme page with over 3 million followers. One caption humorously declared, “History shows: if your enemy is wearing adidas sweatpants in battle, you can’t win the war.”
These interpretations emphasize the perceived asymmetry of the conflict, portraying Hamas as a less equipped but determined force akin to a “David vs. Goliath” scenario. Comparisons were drawn to historical examples of lightly-equipped yet victorious armies like the Viet Cong and the Taliban, suggesting that despite material disadvantages, Hamas could still achieve success.
However, alongside images of fighters in civilian dress, the al-Qassam Brigades also released propaganda videos showcasing a different image. One video on their Telegram channel showed fighters in casual T-shirts rapidly firing mortars. In stark contrast, a later, highly produced video displayed a battery of 10 mortars with uniformed teams firing barrages for the camera. In this professionally crafted video, all fighters wore standardized Hamas uniforms: pixelated green camouflage, helmets, body armor, kneepads, and gloves. Palestinian flag patches were affixed to velcro on the shoulders. This imagery projects a professional military appearance, aligning with a globally recognized modern soldier aesthetic, influenced by the U.S. military and popularized through video games and social media. Even with this modern tactical look, many fighters retained traditional green headbands identifying them as al-Qassam Brigades members.
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters during a military show in Gaza City in July 2022
Image: Al-Qassam Brigades fighters in pixelated camouflage Hamas uniforms participate in an anti-Israel military demonstration in Gaza City, July 2022. This uniform style projects a modern, professional military image.
“Abu Ubaida,” a prominent spokesperson for Hamas, consistently appears in video statements wearing pixelated camouflage and a red keffiyeh obscuring his face. The camouflage pattern widely used by Hamas in pre-war videos and photos closely resembles the UCP and MARPAT pixelated patterns used by U.S. forces during the Global War on Terror. The adoption of a uniform style associated with a primary adversary like the U.S. highlights the global standardization of this military aesthetic, transcending political divides to become the archetypal image of a contemporary soldier.
In contrast, the IDF uniform, largely unchanged since the 1950s, is central to Israeli identity. The solid olive-green fatigues, primarily cotton, embody a unified image. Only recently did the IDF announce plans to introduce more modern, subdued green uniforms made from flame-retardant and moisture-wicking fabrics. Interestingly, a 2018 IDF project to adopt camouflage uniforms was abandoned, making Israel an outlier among 21st-century militaries in not standardizing camouflage. Reasons cited include ease of identifying friendly units in the field, contrasting with the multiple camouflage patterns potentially used by groups like Hamas. The IDF’s choice of a solid olive-green uniform reinforces its curated public image, connecting to Israel’s founding myths of the citizen-soldier.
All participants in this conflict are acutely aware of image management and narrative control. Visual media, disseminated through social media and news outlets, are crucial for shaping perceptions. Uniforms serve as potent symbols of state or group power, asserting a monopoly on violence. The choices regarding military attire reveal a group’s self-perception and desired public image, representing a highly visible form of communication.
Clothing functions as a language, conveying conscious and subconscious messages about the wearer, particularly in warfare. Our universal experience with clothing allows us to readily interpret these signals, identifying or distancing ourselves from the wearer within familiar symbolic frameworks. In a complex, postmodern world, deciphering these often-contradictory symbols is essential to understanding the intended messages behind what combatants wear.
The uniform is fundamental in transforming civilians into soldiers. It signifies membership in a collective with shared objectives, transcending individual identity. Michel Foucault, in “Discipline and Punish,” described this transformation: “The soldier has become something that can be made … one has ‘got rid of the peasant’ and given him ‘the air of a soldier.’” The uniform is a primary tool in molding individuals into disciplined units.
Moreover, the uniform acts as a credential, legitimizing a group as an organized military force. In an era marked by non-state actors, the uniform seeks to confer legitimacy upon the wearer as a “soldier” within an “army” authorized to use violence on behalf of the group.
In Israel, where the IDF is historically based on conscription, the olive-green uniform embodies the military and the state itself. Dr. Dalia Bar-Or, a fashion historian, noted in Haaretz that the public still sees the IDF as “the people’s army,” making the uniform a symbol of mainstream Israeli identity. She likened the IDF olive-green uniform to mid-20th-century sartorial political symbols like the Mao suit, representing acceptance into the “Zionist ethos” and active participation in state-building.
Leading up to the recent conflict, olive green even took on new political meanings within Israel. Military aesthetics appeared in political media, and olive-green T-shirts became a de facto uniform for the “Brothers and Sisters in Arms” reservist organization protesting judicial reforms. However, after October 7th, the olive-green uniform swiftly reverted to its primary symbolism of state power and military force. Jonatan Urich, an advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and U.S. Congressman Brian Mast controversially wore IDF uniforms in political contexts, underscoring the uniform’s symbolic weight.
Disturbingly, the IDF uniform’s symbolism is also being exploited for violence. Israeli settlers in the West Bank, some wearing IDF uniforms, have been increasingly involved in attacks against Palestinians. Accounts detail settlers in IDF uniforms detaining and assaulting Palestinians, blurring the lines between state military action and settler violence. A B’Tselem spokesperson highlighted the increasing indistinguishability between settlers and soldiers.
Videos on X have shown individuals appearing to be settlers in IDF-like uniforms firing upon Palestinians. While not always resulting in fatalities, this violence has escalated, making 2023 the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since 2005. Mairav Zonszein of the International Crisis Group noted that a significant number of Palestinian deaths in the West Bank are attributed to Israeli soldiers, with some also killed by settlers, sometimes wearing army uniforms.
Settlers’ use of the IDF uniform to intimidate Palestinians leverages the uniform as a symbol of oppressive force, creating confusion and a veneer of legitimacy for their actions. By donning the uniform, they falsely represent state authority, making their violence appear as an extension of state power.
In conclusion, the varied deployment and interpretation of the Hamas uniform, alongside the symbolic weight of the IDF uniform, underscore the crucial role of clothing as a language in modern conflict. From attempts at deception to projecting desired images of resistance or professional military capability, uniforms are not merely garments but strategic tools in the ongoing narrative warfare. They communicate identity, intent, and power dynamics to a global audience, shaping perceptions and influencing the course of the conflict itself.
