Hamas Militants Steal Israeli Engineering Equipment Twice in One Week in Gaza Strip

For the second time within a week, Hamas militants have stolen engineering equipment from Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip. The stolen items include pipes used for ground drilling, which Israeli security officials fear are being rigged with explosives to target soldiers upon their return to Israeli-controlled areas. The latest incident occurred during a ground operation beyond the so-called "yellow line" in Gaza, where militants were observed stealing equipment but were not neutralized by Israeli forces on site.

This event follows a similar case reported about a week ago, when Hamas operatives crossed into the yellow line zone, stole engineering gear, and retreated without facing fire from Israeli troops. Soldiers on the scene requested permission to engage the militants but were denied by senior command. The security establishment views these repeated breaches as a serious failure, especially amid a recent directive from Israel's political leadership to limit fire in Gaza except in cases of immediate life-threatening danger.

In the past two weeks, over 65 incursions into the yellow line zone have been recorded without Israeli forces opening fire, a threefold increase since the ceasefire instructions. A senior security source warned that Hamas is testing Israeli restraint, preparing for a major terror attack against troops in Gaza. The source cautioned that the recent thefts could have led to a soldier being captured or a deadly trap involving the rigged equipment. The Israeli military denies any soldier was captured during these incidents.