HG Wells, famous author, wrote The War of the Worlds about 125 years ago.

In that novel, the Martian attack on planet Earth seemed almost complete until it slowed then ground to a halt and failed. The highly sophisticated and technologically advanced Martians were thwarted by common bacteria and viruses found on Earth. The Martians had no prior knowledge of, no immunity against and hence no defense against an unseen organism of merely a few cells. It was a simple, yet devastating and unexpected attack on a technologically superior opponent.

This week we have seen a devastating attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel. How did such a co-ordinated invasion occur without advance intelligence detection by defense forces? That terrorists with guns and rocket propelled grenades could move into position and commence a simultaneous attack within Israeli territory points to a superior means of organisation and communication. At least temporarily. The surprise advantage has now been lost and the full might of Israel’s defense technology, shaken as it has been, is now on a mission to respond and destroy the terrorist organisation.

How did this surprise attack happen? This is speculation on my part, but there must be a high chance that an old style simple means of communciation was used in the planning and implementation of these attacks. A means almost undetectable, partly by wilful oversight, simple yet effective. Something of a military advantage in the short run: communication using the ways that were used during World War I, fought not long after HG Wells was writing. It must have been implemented using face to face discussions, plans and instructions distributed to local commanders on paper, probably written by hand or by typewriter, communication in the field by signalling codes, maybe using signalling mirrors. It is not dissimilar to an analogue form of blockchain. Blockchain is sometimes described as a distributed ledger, that is, not centralised (read vulnerable) data storage but disseminated data storage with multiple means of cross verification (read secure).

Modern day communications are highly centralised. Transmissions using the radio wave spectrum (GPS, radio, sat phones etc) are all detectable by defensive intelligence. Likewise, communications by internet fibre optic cable or copper wire are equally detectable. Could it be that the Israel Defence Force was watching for electronic communications and not worrying about old fashioned means? It would be interesting to know how much demand there is these days for typewriters, signalling mirrors and morse code training.

This could have been the first modern day display of analogue blockchain in practice in a war theatre.