Hamas probe: Israel tried to wiretap group in Gaza Strip

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Gaza’s ruling Hamas said Saturday that Israeli undercover forces had attempted to install equipment to monitor the Islamic militant group’s landline communications network during a botched mission in November.

The findings of an investigation were announced by the Hamas military wing, Qassam Brigades, in a prerecorded TV statement.

Hamas presented surveillance footage and photos to back up its claims.

Hamas thwarted an attempt to “plant spying devices in the Gaza Strip,” a Qassam spokesman said in the statement.

Israel’s military has not released details about the operation, which went awry Nov. 11, leading to the heaviest round of crossborder fire, including Hamas rockets and Israeli airstrikes, since a 2014 war between the two sides.