Proudly paraded at the funeral of seven Hamas members, at first glance this 'captured and rebuilt Israeli tank' looked every bit the fearsome war machine.

But a closer look appeared to unmask it as more wooden car than military might as eagle-eyed Twitter users spotted what looked like tyres between the mysteriously immobile tank treads.

It was even suggested the vehicle bore similarities to a carnival float as a photo of the 'tank' was mocked on social media.

Proudly paraded at a Hamas funeral service, on first glance this 'tank' looked every bit the fearsome war machine. But a closer look revealed what looked like tyres between the mysteriously immobile tank treads

The 'tank' was part of a service that saw thousands of Palestinians mourn the deaths of seven Hamas members crushed when an illegal tunnel they were digging in Gaza collapsed.

But few took the claim that it had been captured from Israeli forces seriously.

The spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ofir Gendelman, tweeted: 'Hamas paraded yesterday a "captured, rebuilt Israeli tank".

'FYI, tanks aren't made of wood and don't run on wheels.'

One Twitter user wrote: 'That's a tank???!!! It probably has a big wind-up key on the back end too, and shoots sparks out of the tube.'

The spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ofir Gendelman, tweeted: 'Hamas paraded yesterday a "captured, rebuilt Israeli tank". FYI, tanks aren't made of wood and don't run on wheels'

Not fooled: One Twitter user wrote: 'That's a tank???!!! It probably has a big wind-up key on the back end too, and shoots sparks out of the tube.' Some pointed out that the tank treads didn't touch the ground (pictured)

Another said it looked more like a float, while some pointed out that the tank treads didn't touch the ground.

Last Friday, the bodies of the dead Hamas members were carried through the streets to a mosque in Gaza City as thousands waited to pay their respects.

Dozens of militants gathered round the men to pray as a roof caved in under the weight of residents trying to catch a glimpse of their bodies.

The men died on January 26 after a Gaza Strip tunnel they were in collapsed due to heavy rain. It was two days until officials were able to get to their bodies.

Mocked: A number of Twitter users gave Hamas the internet treatment for claiming to be parading a tank

Four other militants managed to escape, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said.

A statement by the Brigades added: 'The Mujahedin martyrs were repairing an old tunnel, from which a number of operations were executed in the [2014] war.'

Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007, when it seized power after a brief civil war.

The tunnels were used by militants to launch surprise attacks on Israeli forces last summer.

Officials in Israel have repeatedly warned about the rebuilding of the tunnels with some politicians calling for pre-emptive action to neutralise the threat.

Funeral: The 'tank' was part of a service that saw thousands of Palestinians mourn the deaths of seven Hamas members (pictured), who were crushed when an illegal tunnel they were digging in Gaza collapsed