Hamas airs video of killing, attempted abduction of soldier that appears to contradict IDF version of events

A video released by Hamas of the killing and attempted abduction of a soldier in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis on Wednesday appears to contradict the army’s version of events.

The IDF said earlier this week that several Hamas operatives had emerged from a tunnel and attacked Israeli troops. During the attack, the gunmen attempted to abduct Master Sgt. (res.) Abraham Azulay, who had been operating an excavator.

Azulay “struggled with them and the terrorists shot and killed him,” said the military, adding that other Israeli forces guarding the area opened fire on the operatives, thwarting an attempt to abduct his body.

The video published by Hamas shows a squad of terror operatives hiding in a damaged building and observing Israeli forces carrying out demolition work.

The squad then sneaks up to the troops, as one launches an RPG at the excavator Azulay was operating. The soldier is seen jumping out of the unarmored construction vehicle while coming under fire from the operatives from over a dozen meters away. The video then shows two operatives reaching the excavator where Azulay’s body lies on the ground.

The operatives are then seen taking Azulay’s weapons, shooting him again, while gunfire is heard in the background, possibly from the Israeli forces returning fire.

Hamas said that its gunmen had attempted to capture the soldier, but that the “field conditions did not allow for it, so they killed him and seized his weapon.”

The Hamas video is edited, and it is unclear if any of the operatives were hit by the Israeli gunfire.

The IDF says it is investigating the incident further, including the deployment of troops who were supposed to be guarding the demolition work.