Good evening from New York.

I'm Chris Hayes.

We come on the air tonight.

NBC News has obtained top secret Hamas planning documents, which show the extensive lengths

the group went to in preparation for Saturday's mass murder.

Quote documents exclusively obtained by NBC News show that Hamas created detailed plans

to target elementary schools in a youth center to kill as many people as possible, seize

hostages and quickly move them into the Gaza Strip.

The documents were found on the bodies of Hamas terrorists by Israeli first responders

and shared with NBC News.

The documents showcase specific attack routes and targets, for example, separate Hamas

units and even detail the exact type and number of vehicles that were to be used along with

specific routes to be followed.

As NBC News reports, quote, one idea of official said he was astounded by the degree of planning

that went into ensuring maximum civilian casualties.

He said, I've never seen this kind of detailed planning for a mass terrorist attack.

Now, this news arises all eyes on Gaza tonight, as Israel makes preparations to launch a massive

ground offensive in response to that attack, and I think for many people the toll of what

that will look like is starting to sink in.

Really does feel like we're on the cusp of an outright humanitarian disaster if not

already there, especially when you consider Israel's president had this to say when asked

about the potential for civilian casualties in Gaza.

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