The loss of a military mobile phone belonging to an Israeli reservist in southern Syria has raised concerns within Israel, after reports emerged that the device contained sensitive information and data.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, citing one of the soldiers, the incident occurred during clashes in a Syrian village, where troops were forced to retreat amid crowds of local residents throwing stones, causing one soldier to lose his mobile device.
According to the source, the phone contains maps, operational data, and classified information. The source noted that the army discovered the loss of the device quickly and remotely disabled it in an attempt to limit any potential leaking of information.
The Israeli military spokesman said in a statement that the incident "is known to the army and is under investigation, with the relevant authorities handling the matter," without disclosing the security measures taken to prevent access to the phone's contents.
The incident coincided with escalating tension in the village of Abdin in southern Syria, where video footage showed local residents throwing stones at Israeli forces before the village came under artillery fire, prompting many of its residents to flee to neighbouring villages, according to Syrian media.
Syrian reports also indicated that United Nations teams subsequently visited the area and published photographs of weapons and equipment they said had been left around the village, as well as video footage of the missing phone.
Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, condemned Israeli military operations in the governorates of Quneitra and Daraa, stating that their continuation undermines security and stability efforts and increases civilian suffering.