IDF to probe leaked footage of Hamas infiltration during Gaza war

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz ordered an investigation into the leak of an internal IDF video detailing an unsuccessful Hamas attack on military targets at Kibbutz Zikim, to Palestinian media websites.

IDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Moti Almoz released a statement on Friday detailing a plan of action after internal IDF footage reviewing the terrorist infiltration during Operation Protective Edge was leaked and posted on a Palestinian website and on YouTube Wednesday.

The footage revealed IDF code words for military positions, roads and forces.

“We treat the information leaked with the utmost seriousness,” Almoz said on his Facebook page, an official account of the IDF’s Spokesperson Unit. “The chief of staff has given instructions to set up an investigation team led by the Information Security Department in cooperation with the Shin Bet and the military prosecutor’s office.”

The attacks from the sea occurred on July 8, a kilometer north of the Gaza-Israel border. Four Hamas divers were ultimately killed in the aborted infiltration attempt that happened during the bloody 50-day conflict between Israel and terrorist groups in Gaza.

The leaked video revealed that one of the Hamas commandos managed to attach an explosive belt to a tank, which detonated without causing damage. IDF videos and press releases of the incident given to the public contained no mention of the explosive belt.

The video opens with a military map, showing the code names and locations of surveillance cameras. It then shows footage from “Lookout Johnny,” tracking one of the pairs of divers making its way out of the water.

The four Hamas naval commandos then hide in a bush to remove their diving gear and prepare themselves for the attack.

After the infiltrators cross the “Hallel” road and take cover in a depression in the sand, IDF forces engage them from the east.

A Merkava tank and bulldozer arrive as well, and one of the terrorists runs up behind the tank and hangs the explosives on it. “Two, he is on the tank! Drive, Two!” shouts a voice on the radio, seconds before before the explosives detonate.

None of the soldiers was injured, and the tank itself appears to have suffered no damage.

As the tank fires on the commandos, they flee back toward the coast, where they are killed by massive air force and navy fire.

“This is an internal IDF review, whose leak represents a serious incident which will be investigated and dealt with accordingly, and not in the media,” said the IDF.