Israeli President Isaac Herzog has disclosed what he claims to be “proof” that Hamas militants were involved in the development of chemical weapons.

According to Herzog, documents found on a deceased Hamas fighter indicated instructions for creating chemical weapons.

The material was reportedly discovered on the body of a fighter in Kibbutz Be’eri, an area where around 20% of the 1,100 residents were killed or kidnapped during recent conflicts.

President Herzog unveiled the documents during an interview with Sky News, emphasizing that the source of the documents was a known al Qaeda manual from 2003. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t establish a direct link between the two organizations.

Herzog stated, “It’s al Qaeda material. Official al Qaeda material. We are dealing with ISIS, al Qaeda, and Hamas.

This is how shocking the situation is, where we’re looking at the instructions on how to operate and create a kind of non-professional chemical weapon with cyanide.”

The intelligence, which has been declassified, reveals the ingredients necessary for producing a chemical bomb.

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When asked about the frustration of many Israelis who feel let down by the government and security forces, Herzog acknowledged their concerns.

He declined to assign blame to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the ongoing conflict.

Israel has faced criticism regarding the impact of its airstrikes on Gaza’s civilian population, but Herzog defended the actions, emphasizing the need to eliminate Hamas’s military infrastructure.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with more than 4,500 people killed during 16 days of Israeli airstrikes, according to figures from the Hamas-controlled health ministry.

Regarding the future of Gaza if Israel succeeds in eliminating Hamas, Herzog suggested that such decisions would rest with Benjamin Netanyahu.

He expressed a desire for peace and reconciliation but stressed that discussions should occur after the immediate crisis.

Herzog concluded that the priority is addressing the ongoing crisis, and discussions about a two-state solution or future vision for the region would need to wait.