'Tanks don’t run on wheels': Israel mocks hardware 'captured & rebuilt' by Hamas
The war machine recently showed off by Hamas is a fake, senior Israeli official Ofir Gendelman tweeted. He believes the 'tank' is in fact a wooden replica, planted on another, less intimidating vehicle.
The memorial service for seven Hamas fighters killed by a tunnel collapse about a week ago featured a piece of military hardware shown off by the movement’s military wing Izz ad-Din Al-Qassam Brigades. The ceremony was aired by Hamas's Al-Aqsa TV.
“The Tufah neighborhood [in Gaza] has a long history with enemy tanks and therefore we’re preparing for the day we shall meet those tanks,” Al-Qassam Brigades speaker said according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). “Let the locally-produced vehicle move forward.”
However the Israeli prime minister's spokesperson for Arab media, Ofir Gendelman, mocked the machine on Twitter.
Hamas paraded yesterday a "captured, rebuilt Israeli tank". FYI, tanks aren't made of wood and don't run on wheels. pic.twitter.com/cP1e8KFjAJ
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) 1 февраля 2016
The picture of ‘tank on wheels’ triggered a storm of giggles on Twitter. Some, such as anonymous pro-Israel blog Elder of Ziyon, suggested that the construction was in fact a fiberglass carcass with a car inside it.
#Hamas claims it built a tank! (fiberglass and sewer pipes on top of an SUV) https://t.co/eh3Bu0VUQbpic.twitter.com/OkO70mLTUL
— ElderOfZiyon (@elderofziyon) 2 февраля 2016
The fake Hamas tank reminds me of when insurgents in Iraq "captured a soldier," who turned out to be this doll pic.twitter.com/STziqV8i4w
— Renna (@RennaW) 3 февраля 2016
Legion blogger: #Hamas rolls out new "tank" which appears to be made by Fred Flintstone. https://t.co/S7pzKVkcBIpic.twitter.com/tFUpXIhmG7
— The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) 2 февраля 2016
@ofirgendelman@KurtSchlichter Hamas tank in development stage pic.twitter.com/r6r6QuOfDs
— Swamp Fox (@greenkayak73) February 3, 2016
However, Al-Qassam Brigades tweeted that the ‘tank’ displayed at the ceremony was merely a simulation.
Spokesman of Al #Qassam standing on a simulating Israeli tank, saluting audiences during the mourning of 7 martyrs. pic.twitter.com/5AUv0RCqbd
— Al Qassam Brigades (@qassamsms) 1 февраля 2016
