As Israel-Hamas War Rages On, Here's A Look At How The Two Are Poised Amid A Surge In Global Arms Sales

The Israel-Hamas war has given the global weapon market another reason to thrive. Here's how the two sides are taking on each other with a complex set of weaponry.

Israel-Hamas War: Tactics, methods, and plans are among the things that are at play in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Weapons are the obvious ones to include in these. While the battle continues to divide the world with countries taking sides and pledging their support for Israel and Hamas, both factions are using their heavy arsenal stock to harm the other. The warfare is a reminder of the situation and weapons that were part of the Russia-Ukraine conflict which is still ongoing. Hamas' October 7 attack included paragliders and drones among others and the terrorists somehow managed to tear through Israel's iron-dome system.

 

Hamas's Soviet-Built, Homemade Weapons And Rockets

The conflict began with Hamas launching over 500 rocket barrages over Israel in a surprise attack followed by border infiltration by terrorists. Hamas used weaponised uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the ongoing war which included direct-attack munitions guided by satellite navigation systems that were equipped with video cameras and radio links.

Hamas employed a variety of weapons like homemade rockets and modified AK-47s to decades-old Soviet machine guns and various low-cost and acquired arms, reported DefenseMirror.com. The group produced unguided artillery rockets and developed their versions of anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).

The Palestinian militant group deployed paragliders and powered parachutes as well. CNN reported analysing images from the war confirming usage of Soviet-built DShK, a .50 caliber machine gun.

 

Israel's Sophisticated Weaponry Against Hamas

Israel has meanwhile put on ground Merkava tank which is similar to the German Leopard 2 battle tank that became popular for its use in Ukraine, HT cited Sky News as reporting. The tank has been designed and largely manufactured in Israel and features heavy front armour to provide maximum protection for its four crew. It is armed with a 120mm main gun as well as secondary armaments.

The Israeli airforce has used its own Kfir fighter jets - multirole warplanes based on the French-made Mirage aircraft. It also deployed a number of advanced F-35 Lightning II jets that it obtained from the US. This is apart from the F-15 and F-16 jets that Israel has.

According to DefenseMirror.com, the Jewish nation also employed 285-pound GBU-39 Small Diametre Bombs that could fit within the F-35's weapon bay. Israeli Defence Forces also made use of a range of drones for attack and aerial surveillance. Around 900 Hermes drones were employed, the website said, adding that Israel has denied the usage of the same.

Israel's ground forces have taken advantage of the Merkava Mark IV, Mark III and Magach 7C. The military has armoured personnel carriers -- Achzarit and M113 at its disposal. 

 

Rise In Global Arms Sale Further Fuelled By Middle East Situation

There is no denying the fact that since the Russia-Ukraine war began, there has been a massive supply of arms and ammunition to both countries as they intensified their attacks on each other. Similar is the case with Israel and Hamas. However, there has been no direct acceptance from anyone of providing arsenal supplies to Hamas militants. A New York Times report stated that worldwide military spending last year hit $2.2 trillion, the highest level in inflation-adjusted dollars since at least the end of the Cold War, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which prepares an annual tally.

The report added that even before Israel responded to the deadly Hamas attack, the Russia-Ukraine war and the perception of a rising threat from China spurred a global rush to purchase fighter planes, missiles, tanks, artillery, munitions and other lethal equipment. The surge is driven by the rapid increase in the technological change in warfighting. The ongoing middle east situation is further adding to the sale and purchase of weapons in a bid to increase the stockpile.

 

Hamas Used North Korean Weapons, Pyongyang Rejects Reports

War includes support but also contains deep secrets that last long after the conflict ends. The Associated Press reported that Hamas fighters, most likely, fired North Korean weapons during their Oct 7 attack on Israel. 

It said that the South Korean officials, two experts on North Korean arms and an AP analysis of weapons captured Hamas using Pyongyang’s F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, AP added. The weapon is a shoulder-fired machine that fighters typically use against armored vehicles.

Meanwhile, North Korea denied the media reports suggesting the use of its weapons by Hamas in the attack against Israel. As per Reuters, Pyongyang said that the claim made in some media reports was a bid by Washington to divert the blame for the conflict from itself to a third country.