The United States' spy agency CIA is gathering intel on leaders of the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas and providing them to the Israeli occupation entity, The New York Times reported on Friday citing US officials.

The newspaper added that a new agency task force was established following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7 to collect and transfer information to "Israel" amid its ongoing aggression on Gaza, which has crossed the three-month mark recently.

Read more: Biden's arms supply to 'Israel' breaches US, int'l laws: HRW report

According to NYT, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued an order to intelligence agencies and the Pentagon, instructing the creation of the team and the increase in intelligence gathering on Hamas' top officials.

US providing targets for "Israel"

This comes after The Intercept reported on Thursday that the US Air Force deployed intelligence officers with expertise in airstrikes and long-range artillery to "Israel" in late November, citing a document obtained via the Freedom of Information Act.

The term "intelligence engagement" is characterized, as per a US Army primer, as a "powerful" tool, particularly valuable in situations where US policy restrictions limit direct interaction, as it often does not necessitate extensive budgets or physical presence.

Read more: 'Israel', US already lost the war in Gaza: The Hill

Since October 7, "Israel" has dropped over 29,000 bombs on Gaza, according to a recent US intelligence document.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's administration, for the first time in US history, announced that American drones have been conducting surveillance missions over Gaza since early November, allegedly for captives recovery by special forces.

Despite initial claims that these forces were not participating in Israeli target development, the US Air Force's deployment guidelines for officers on November 21 suggest their involvement in providing satellite intelligence for offensive attacks, the media outlet said.