This is the dramatic moment a group of masked thieves fled when employees at a jewellery shop activated a security smoke screen.

CCTV footage shows the burglars smashing the door with batons to enter the store in Ofakim, Israel.

They then stepped inside the building and hit the glass showcases and displays, causing the frantic employees to run behind the counter on November 25.

The quick-thinking workers activated a robbery button, which emitted a dense smoke screen before the suspects managed to steal anything.

The smoke engulfed the room in seconds, prompting the suspected individuals to retreat and run away.

One of the workers even hurled a black chair at them, but the group had already rushed out of the shop.

In another surveillance camera angle, the thieves hopped into the grey hatchback waiting outside.

Another worker wearing a black hoodie sprints out of the store and hides behind a parked car.

Shimon, the store owner, said: 'It was during business hours, just moments before there were customers in the store.

'I have always feared a robbery, so I employ three workers. That is what saved us; the workers activated the robbery button, which has a smoke screen.'

Police are investigating the crime, which is reportedly the third such incident in Ofakim in the past two months.