The Palestinian paramilitary group Hamas claims to have captured an Israeli-trained dolphin armed with an unknown weapon, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, citing The Drive.
Hamas has provided limited evidence to support this claim, but the use of marine mammals in support of military action and intelligence gathering is certainly well documented.
At the same time, there have been many unsubstantiated reports over the past two decades that Israel has used various animals at sea and on land, as well as birds, to carry out covert missions against its opponents.
It is not clear when the incident happened, but for the first time videos of him began to be spread on social networks.
The video is said to be an excerpt recently shown on Al Quds TV, a Lebanese-based Palestinian television channel with strong ties to Hamas. At one point, the footage shows a man holding something that is likely a turnstile taken from an allegedly captured Israeli dolphin.
Hamas claims the “killer dolphin” was discovered by a member of his diving unit, “killed by Israel during the May conflict”. The animal itself is not shown.
The device
A Hamas spokesman demonstrated a cylindrical device, although it is not clear what exactly. An expert in underwater combat suggested that it could be a rifle-like weapon, or perhaps a system designed to attach any buoy to targets.
The suspension itself has a general appearance, reminiscent of those used for dolphins in the famous military programs for marine mammals.
For example, the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program trains dolphins and sea lions in a variety of roles, including restoring equipment, detecting explosives, or detecting and detaining swimmers and divers who are prohibited from approaching ships or objects.
This is not the first time Hamas has made statements about paramilitary dolphins. In 2015, a Palestinian newspaper reported that Hamas had caught a dolphin that had been caught with a camera and an underwater surveillance device capable of firing small projectiles.
The ‘rocket war’ in 2021
In May, Israel and Gaza have exchanged continuous and intense missile attacks. Israel resorted to using its air force and was very close to sending ground troops and heavy armored vehicles and tanks to Gaza. Still, international pressure on Tel Aviv halted this Netanyahu’s decision.
Gaza has tested Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system by subjecting almost all cities in the country to rocket fire. Pro-palestinians units fired three missiles from Syria; several artillery shells were fired from Lebanon. Hamas uses rockets of its production – Qassam. As we wrote earlier, this decision by the Palestinians is strange, as they have much more technologically advanced missiles and more destructive power.
Israel, for its part, defended itself with the Iron Dome air defense system, which intercepted more than 90% of the missiles fired across the country. Tel Aviv carried out several air raids, one of which was impressive – 150 planes, 165 targets, and more than 1,000 bombs in a few hours. Israel has destroyed much of Hamas’ underground tunnels in Gaza, known as the Hamas subway.
Israel says the IDF has killed 120 members of Hamas and more than 20 members of Islamic Jihad. A total of 232 Palestinians were killed, 65 of them minors. However, it is not clear whether this number includes the killed 120 members of Hamas.
What is happening in the area?
The violence began after the focus fell on controversial judicial and political actions over the Palestinian-populated Sheikh Jara district of East Jerusalem. An Israeli court initially ruled that Palestinians should be evicted from the neighborhood and be populated with Israelis. A hearing on the eviction followed, but it never ended last Sunday and was postponed.
On Monday, May 10, Jerusalem was subjected to a brief rocket attack by al-Quds and Hamas with a request on the eviction decision. Israel did not comply with the Palestinians, which led to a retaliatory strike and a rocket fire between the two countries for the second day in a row.
According to a field source, Israel has involved fighter jets and tanks in the conflict, which are hitting 130 targets in the Gaza Strip. These goals are related to the Hamas movement. According to the Israeli authorities, these goals are also associated with terrorist organizations.
The international community welcomes the actions of Israelis and Palestinians, but as statements from both sides make clear, both sides may reach no agreement soon.
