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Middle East Eye
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli media criticises army after Hamas clip shows soldier kidnapping attempt
Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades released a video on Thursday showing Palestinian fighters killing an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip and seizing his weapons, reportedly after deciding not to abduct him. The footage appears to contradict the Israeli military's official account of the incident and has drawn criticism in local media. Commentators accused the army of failing to adequately protect its soldiers on the ground and repeating the same mistakes agaisnt Hamas fighters. In the video, Hamas fighters are seen targeting an Israeli bulldozer with a locally made anti-armour missile in the Abasan al-Kabira area, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Israeli reserve soldier Avraham Azulay is shown jumping out of the bulldozer following the strike. Later in the footage, he is seen lying on the ground near Hamas fighters, who appear to seize his weapon before withdrawing from the scene. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Following Wednesday's raid, Hamas said its fighters 'attempted to capture one of the soldiers, but due to battlefield conditions, this was not possible, so they neutralised him and seized his weapon". The Israeli military, in contrast, stated that its initial investigation found that Hamas fighters had emerged from a tunnel, attacked Israeli forces, and attempted to abduct Azulay. The army claimed the soldier 'struggled with them, and the terrorists shot and killed him,' while nearby Israeli troops opened fire, hitting 'several' Hamas fighters and preventing the abduction. How Hamas lured Israel into a lethal trap Read More » However, the edited Hamas video appears to contradict this account. Azulay is seen running away from the fighters rather than engaging with them, and the Palestinians appear to leave the area unharmed. Almog Boker, a correspondent for the Israeli Channel 12 News, said that while the killing of Azulay shows that troops are "fighting with full strength," the army is "not learning lessons". "How can it be that after the Puma incident, in which we lost seven fighters and saw how the terrorists climbed onto the armored vehicle and threw an explosive device inside without anyone noticing them, a bulldozer operator is working in Khan Yunis without close security?" Boker said on X. He was referring to a Hamas attack in late June, where seven Israeli soldiers were killed after a Palestinian fighter targeted an armoured personnel carrier (APC) with an explosive device thrown inside it. "True, this is a war, and there are also painful costs, but the findings on the ground and the testimonies of the fighters teach us – it is possible to do more to minimise casualties to the absolute minimum," Boker said. 'Troubling conclusions' Yedioth Ahranoth said the Hamas fighters attack in "broad daylight reveals troubling conclusions". "For the second time this month and from point-blank range, Hamas released a video documenting the killing and attempted abduction of Reserve Staff Sergeant Avraham Azulay," the Israeli daily said. "The footage also highlights another troubling phenomenon emerging from the prolonged fighting in the Gaza Strip: the Israeli army is being forced to use civilian engineering equipment," it said. Hamas ambush kills five soldiers in Israeli-controlled 'buffer zone' Read More » "This is due to the mechanical wear and tear of most military equipment since 7 October, leaving an insufficient number of operational machines." The latest attack comes amid a surge in deadly Hamas ambushes targeting Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip in recent days. Earlier this week, Hamas fighters killed five soldiers and wounded at least 14 others in an ambush in Beit Hanoun, near the border with Israel in northern Gaza. The incident has been described as one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli ground forces since the beginning of the war in Gaza. According to Israeli officials, at least 890 Israeli soldiers have been killed since 7 October 2023, nearly half of them since the Gaza invastion began. At least 13 soldiers have been killed so far this month alone.
Al Manar
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Metula Still Deserted Months After War: Settlers Slam Zionist Government Over Inaction
More than four months after the war ended, the Metula settlement remains eerily deserted. A passenger bus travels nine times a day without a single rider, symbolizing the ongoing abandonment. Israeli Channel 12 reports that two-thirds of Metula's houses—around 460 residences—were damaged by resistance missiles, with one-third set for total demolition. The cost of reconstruction is estimated at $500 million, yet only one in ten residents has returned due to the extensive devastation. Stagnant Reconstruction and Public Discontent The report highlighted that repair efforts remain stalled in Israeli bureaucratic red tape, with growing public frustration over the government's handling of the situation. The government faces accusations of neglect and inaction in supporting the northern residents. 'Tourists have returned to the north in large numbers for Passover, but most residents have not. Over a year and a half after the area was evacuated and four and a half months after the ceasefire, Mettula remains devastated and empty. Two-thirds of its homes are damaged, and warnings of security risks persist. The completion of alternative sites is delayed, and repairs to the border fence remain incomplete,' a Zionist Channel 12 anchor noted. 'In this reality, nine out of ten Mettula residents have no intention of returning,' the report concluded. Local Leader Criticizes Government Response David Azulay, the head of the Metula local council, directed his anger at the government, saying, 'This is the worst government we've known in times of war. It disappeared during the battle and, unfortunately, disappeared again when we needed it most during the reconstruction phase.' 'A home not examined by a qualified engineer is considered lightly damaged and can be repaired in just 21 days—yet the reality is completely different,' he explained. 'To begin repairs, we need an engineering inspection, followed by a report submitted to the income tax department, and then approval, which can take four to five months. In the end, they tell us repairs take three weeks! It's a joke. We're receiving only 60 to 70% of the damage compensation, which is insufficient. We hope the government stops fighting us, as it hasn't helped us at all,' Azulay added. Frustration Mounts Over Bureaucracy Other Metula residents also voiced their disappointment with the government's handling of the situation. Anna Rubinstein, a Zionist resident of the settlement, said, 'The delay in repairing our home is due to bureaucracy. The damage assessor came on December 9, and since then, we've had to hire an engineer multiple times and conduct laboratory tests to determine whether we'll have to demolish the roof. We still don't have any answers.' 'I'm a fourth-generation resident here. The government has humiliated us. Before the war, a cell infiltrated from the Shebaa Farms, and it was not neutralized. It was forced to flee, and the fence was torn apart every few days without any action. Officials don't want to give up their seats, and the state is bankrupt. We have no place in it. Who built this state? Was it the right-wing ministers or those who worked with their hands? They're stealing everything,' Zionist Metula resident Moshe Feinstein expressed his outrage. Ongoing Security Concerns Delay Return Metula residents confirmed that security threats at the border remain a major concern, contributing to their hesitation in returning. Despite the ceasefire being in effect for months, they stressed that stability has yet to be restored, leaving them uncertain about their future in the settlement.
