A report published by the Israeli Haaretz newspaper on Saturday stated that Hamas fighters weren’t previously aware of the party in which tragic events took place that claimed the lives of 367 people near Re’im in the Gaza Strip.
According to Haaretz newspaper, a police source reported that an Israeli army helicopter arrived at the scene and opened fire on Hamas fighters, and may have injured some of the concert attendees as well.
The report indicated that Hamas discovered the event through espionage means such as drones and parachutes, as Hamas fighters headed to the site using their communications system.
Videos posted by Hamas fighters’ cameras revealed details of their conversation with an Israeli asking for directions to Re’im.
Haaretz report confirmed that Hamas fighters arrived at the site via Route 232 and not across the border with Gaza, according to security officials’ estimates.
The report pointed out that changing the date of the concert at the last minute, at the request of the organizers, supports the view that Hamas wasn’t aware of the event in the first place.
Haaretz reported, citing police sources, that the event was originally scheduled for Thursday and Friday, and an additional day was added, on Saturday.
The Israeli police confirmed that the vast majority of attendees fled after the decision to disperse the crowd only four minutes after the missile attack.
