Hamas claims Israel trained ‘killer dolphins’ to attack their navy

Hamas has claimed that Israeli troops launched an attack against its naval commandos using a dolphin operative outfitted in specialized combat gear.

A report by Al-Quds alleges that on Monday, Israeli security forces deployed a dolphin to chase Hamas frogman commandos from the Gaza Strip’s coast. 

An Al-Qassam Brigades naval commando spokesperson claimed in a video clip that Hamas naval operatives were forced into the water by a dolphin wearing a gadget capable of killing the terrorist organization’s frogmen during an undisclosed operation.

Joe Truzman, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Long War Journal, tweeted in response to the news: “Killer Zionist dolphins exist, according to a Hamas publication.” 

Hamas also said the group was able to capture an Israeli “killer dolphin” spy, and spokesperson Abu Hamza said the dolphin was found by one of the group’s fighters.

Although Israel has a fleet of what are called “Dolphin-class” submarines, Hamas’ video made it clear that they were talking about the mammal and not the boat. The video included footage of a harness, apparently taken from the captured spy, which was loaded with a spear gun-like weapon. So far, Israel has not responded to Hamas’ allegations. 

Hamas’ capture of one of the dolphins took place in July 2015 off the coast of Gaza after movement was detected outside the port.

At the time, Israeli outlets reported that the aquatic mammal had been found with ‘spying equipment,” including a remote control, camera, and harpoon-like weapon potentially capable of killing or seriously injuring someone. The dolphin was brought ashore and examined, although no photos of the animal were released then.