Israeli forces withdrew from Jabalia in late May, leaving the camp largely in ruins [Getty]
Members of Hamas’ armed wing attempted to lure Israeli soldiers into a trap by using one of the military’s dog units, according to an Israeli media report.
In May, Soldiers from Israel’s Oketz canine unit sent a combat dog into a building in the Jabalia refugee camp, however the animal did not return, according to a report by Ynet.
The soldiers then sent a drone to track the dog, and later found it lying in an alleyway.
The army believed that the dog had been killed and booby trapped with explosives. The area was then cleared of explosives, with the dog’s body retrieved and sent for burial at a cemetery for Oketz K-9 dogs near Modi’in in central Israel.
Israel says its soldiers have used dogs to support its infantry units and rescue soldiers, however the army is accused of using the animals to intimidate civilians.
Hamas’ Qassam Brigades have used booby traps to lure Israel forces on several occasions in Gaza, including in Jabalia in late May.
Qassam spokesman Abu Obeida said in a statement last month that an Israeli force had been lured into a tunnel in Jabalia, where an undisclosed number of soldiers were killed and captured.
Israel’s army later denied that any soldiers had been captured, however the Qassam Brigades later released a video of what appeared to be the body of a slain soldier, as well as weapons and equipment belonging to Israeli soldiers.
In January, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed after being ambushed in a booby trapped building in Gaza, including a rescue force that had been dispatched to the building.
Israeli forces withdrew from Jabalia in late May, leaving the camp largely in ruins after nearly 20 days of bombing.
Jabalia is Gaza’s largest refugee camp, once home to over 100,000 people.
