An IDF soldier lost a classified military phone during operational activity in southern Syria this week. After the phone was found by Syrian civilians, the military disconnected it from the network to prevent data leaks, the IDF confirmed, saying the incident is known and under review.
The IDF confirmed on Tuesday morning that a classified military phone lost by a soldier during operations in southern Syria this week was disconnected from the network after Syrian civilians found the device. The military's statement called the incident 'known and under review.'
As The Zioneer first reported at 09:18 Tuesday, the story unfolded in rapid succession. Initial reports stated that a classified device had been lost beyond the border and was recovered by Syrian residents; an investigation was opened. By the same published time, further reporting indicated that security codes had been changed on similar devices. At 09:18, the IDF confirmed the phone was disconnected to prevent data leakage. Separately, at 09:35 Tuesday, Syrian state news agency SANA published footage showing a Samsung XCover Pro 6 military phone with IDF stickers at Tal al-Maghar hill near Abidin.
This is not the first equipment loss in the area. As The Zioneer reported on Mon Jun 29 at 23:58, a similar encrypted phone and knee pads were left behind after a military withdrawal from a position in Daraa district. The IDF has consistently stated that such devices are encrypted and secured against data access. The current incident comes amid ongoing IDF operations in the southern Syria security zone, where armed militants opened fire on troops overnight on Jun 29, with no Israeli casualties reported.
It remains unclear whether data from the newly lost phone was accessed before the remote disconnection. The IDF said the incident is under investigation, and no further details have been released regarding the soldier’s status or the exact location of the loss.
6 developments
- StrongIDF equipment left behind after withdrawal from position in Daraa, southern Syria
- DevelopingIDF estimates incident near Syria border approaching conclusion
- DevelopingIDF soldier found without signs of life in central Israel; circumstances investigated
- DevelopingIDF checking sirens in central Israel
Source and signal
- Internal intake