Israeli troops 'warned about Hamas attacks: Female soldiers reported suspicious activity on the border with Gaza in weeks leading up to October 7 attack - but were threatened with court martial'

Worried soldiers who raised concerns about suspicious activity in the days leading to Hamas terror raids on Israel were threatened with court martial, it has emerged.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet have faced stiff criticism from Israelis who have accused them of being caught out by the raids which left more than 1,200 dead.

A further 239 people were taken hostage and although a handful have been released there are dozens of worried families still waiting for news on loved ones.

Now Israel's leading Channel 12 news programme has broadcast claims from female soldiers they were threatened with court martial for raising concerns before the October 7 attack.

One said: 'We were told that if we continue to harass on this issue, you will stand trial.'

The soldiers said they had raised concerns for weeks beforehand about suspicious activity on Israel's southern border with the Gaza strip and which they said 'raised red flags'.

Commanders were informed of 'training, anomalies and preparations' near the border and the soldiers told Channel 12 they had seen 'new people visiting farms around the border'.

One said: 'More and more people who had never visited the area suddenly came to it, and farmers who used to come suddenly stopped working on the fields and were replaced.'

The soldiers said this 'rang alarm bells' with them but when they voiced their concerns to commanding officers in the Israeli Defence Force they were brushed aside.

One allegedly said: 'I don't want to hear about this nonsense again. If you bother with these things again, you will stand trial.'

Another is said to have snorted: 'Hamas are just a bunch of punks, they won't do anything.'

Other soldiers also claimed that they had not been given enough 'psychological support' after losing comrades or family members in the killings on October 7.

Some said they were asked to return to duty after two weeks when they felt they were still not ready for service.

An IDF spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The IDF and its commanders accompany all the soldiers and soldiers who were present at the events of 7 October closely and sensitively.

'The soldiers are accompanied by medical professionals from the mental health system, this is in addition to the continuous contact with their commanders who are an envelope and a listening ear.

'Their return to duty will be accompanied gradually, sensitively and according to the situation of each one.

'There is no intention of taking disciplinary measures against them. If there were conversations that reflect otherwise, then they are against the guidelines and they will be dealt with accordingly.'

Meanwhile another report in Israeli online site Walla ! claimed that a tank commander had reported soldiers to HQ for ' playing football and swimming in the sea'.

The report also claimed that drivers 'racing to reach targets first' in the Gaza strip had 'ended in a collision' but that fortunately no one was hurt.

When asked about this the IDF said: 'The conduct and words of the soldiers emerging are not in line with the orders and values of the IDF expected of soldiers when fulfilling their duties.

'Each case is handled on its own merit.'