TEL AVIV: As Israel continues to exercise full control over Gaza’s land, sea and air borders, the question of where Hamas is still getting its weapons remains relevant. About 2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip, which is only a quarter the size of Delhi. The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. It has been under the control of Hamas for years.
Although technically under the control of Hamas, Israel still controls Gaza’s land, sea and air borders. All the means of crossing the border for the people of the Gaza Strip, which has an area of about 365 square kilometers, are under the complete control of the Israeli and Egyptian armies.
In short, Israel has no difficulty in obtaining an almost complete picture of Hamas’ activities in the Gaza Strip. In the event that Hamas receives weapons, Israel must be informed immediately. The question is how will Hamas stockpile weapons in the meantime, even as Israel takes control of the borders?
∙ A way to the sea, a tunnel!
A boat in the Gaza port caught fire during an Israeli airstrike (Photo by Mahmud Hams / AFP)
The Gaza Strip is bordered on two sides by Israel and on one side by Egypt. To the west of the cape is the Mediterranean Sea. Here the freedom of movement of the people is restricted by the Israeli Navy within 12 nautical miles.
However, it is now clear that despite Israel’s tight restrictions on the sea, Hamas has access to weapons. International media reports that arms trafficking is also widespread through tunnels.
Smoke billows from buildings during Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
It is reported that there are tunnels on the border with Egypt exclusively for arms smuggling. Hamas delivers weapons including rockets from Iran and Syria through these tunnels. These include Fajir-3, Fajir-5 and M-302 rockets. The Iranian-made Fajir-3 intercontinental ballistic missiles can strike at a range of 43 km. Hezbollah, an armed group in Lebanon with ties to Iran and Syria, also has these weapons.
Buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. (Photo by BELAL AL SABBAGH / AFP)
Fajir-5 rockets can strike at a range of up to 75 km. They can also carry more than 90 kg of explosives. Hamas also possesses Iranian-made M-302 rockets. Reports suggest that these may have been purchased from Hezbollah.
∙ 20 minutes, 5000 rockets
People laying flowers at the grave of Eden Gus, a young woman who died in a Hamas attack while attending a concert. Image: Reuters
Hamas claimed to have fired about 5,000 rockets into Israel in 20 minutes in an attack from Gaza on Saturday. It is now clear that Hamas has developed its rocket technology over the years to overcome Israel’s formidable Iron Dome air defense system. It is also assured that it has received the help of Iran.
Although Hamas has declared its support for Saturday’s attack, Iran’s position is that it was not involved in the attack. They have also denied Israel’s accusation that Iran provided financial support for the attack.
As early as 2021, the US State Department had warned that Hamas was receiving money, training and weapons from Iran. According to reports, 70 percent of Hamas’ money comes from Iran.
∙ Where do US weapons come from?
Exploding… The fireball that rose up in the Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Image: AFP
Hamas is also reportedly in possession of a large number of US-made weapons. If you trace its roots, you’ll find Hamas’s ties to the Taliban. Hamas is reportedly receiving US-made weapons from the Taliban, which has seized power in Afghanistan.
The US Army returned from Afghanistan in 2021 leaving behind a huge stockpile of weapons. It was all occupied by the Taliban who seized control of Afghanistan. The point is that Hamas may have got a share in it.
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2023-10-11 04:36:07
