Hamas is a Palestinian organization primarily based in the Gaza Strip. Founded in 1987, it emerged as both a political and military entity, and it has had a significant role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While opinions differ on the group's activities, many countries, including the United States, Israel, and the European Union, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Now, let's discuss the reported weapons in their arsenal:
1. Rockets: Over the years, Hamas has used a variety of rockets, ranging from rudimentary Qassam rockets to more advanced designs like the M-75 and R-160. The latter have longer ranges and can reach major Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
2.Mortars: These are short-range weapons used to attack targets closer to the Gaza border. They can be fired rapidly and can be quite lethal against military and civilian targets.
3. Anti-tank Missiles: Hamas has reportedly acquired anti-tank guided missiles, which have been used to target Israeli armored vehicles.
4. Tunnels: While not a "weapon" in the traditional sense, the tunneling capability of Hamas is significant. These tunnels have been used for smuggling weapons, supplies, and for launching attacks into Israel.
5. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Hamas has claimed to possess drones, which can be used for reconnaissance or potentially equipped with explosives for attacks.
6. Naval commandos: Hamas has developed a naval commando unit, which has attempted seaborne raids on Israeli targets.
7. Fire kites and balloons: In recent years, Hamas and other groups in Gaza have used kites and balloons fitted with incendiary devices to set fires in Israeli agricultural areas. These aren't sophisticated weapons but have caused extensive damage.
8. Small Arms: These include assault rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns, and other personal weapons. They are used in confrontations with Israeli forces and for internal security purposes within Gaza.
9. Explosive Devices: These range from simple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to more sophisticated bombs. They can be planted to target military patrols or vehicles.
10. Anti-aircraft Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS): There have been reports suggesting that Hamas might possess these shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, but their exact number and capability remain uncertain.
The source and supply chain of these weapons are diverse. Some come from smuggling operations via tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border. Others are believed to be locally manufactured or repurposed from available materials. There have also been allegations of foreign states supplying Hamas, though these claims are sometimes disputed.
It's important to understand that the situation in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Palestine, is deeply complex, and many factors contribute to the ongoing tension and conflict. The above description of Hamas's weapons is based on reported data and open-source intelligence as of my last training data in January 2022.
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