"Did Hamas Rocket Penetrate Iron Dome? Possibility of False Report"

Sung Il-gwang, Korea University Professor, KBS Radio Interview
"Sharp Increase in Casualties Due to Ground Forces' Civilian Massacre"

Professor Seong Il-gwang of Korea University’s Center for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies explained that the reason the Palestinian armed faction Hamas launched a surprise attack was likely influenced by the Middle Eastern atmosphere recognizing Israel.

On the 10th, appearing on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' Professor Seong said, "Israel and Saudi Arabia are currently trying to normalize diplomatic relations, and in 2020, Israel already normalized relations with the UAE, that is, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Bahrain and Morocco. Previously, Israel’s very existence was hardly recognized, but despite the unresolved Palestinian issue, the process of recognizing Israel as a state and normalizing diplomatic relations is underway, which has caused considerable dissatisfaction in Iran."

He continued, "Iran has traditionally been a country that has long provided financial and military support to Hamas," adding, "It seems there is also an intention to incite Hamas to possibly obstruct the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia."

On the third day of clashes between the Palestinian armed faction Hamas and Israel, black smoke is rising over the Gaza Strip due to Israeli airstrikes on the 9th (local time). On the Jewish Sabbath, the 7th, Hamas fired rockets targeting Israel and infiltrated armed militants, taking many civilians hostage. The government press office under the Israeli Prime Minister's Office reported that more than 800 people have died and about 150 have been taken hostage in this attack. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Regarding Israel, which boasts one of the world’s top military forces and intelligence agencies, being caught off guard, he pointed out, "There was a misconception that if Hamas was given incentives, Hamas would not attack Israel."

Professor Seong said, "Israel permitted economic support from Qatar, and a large amount of funds flowed in. Tens of thousands of Palestinian workers in the Gaza Strip were granted work permits to cross the Israeli border and work inside Israel. This kind of incentive led to a mistaken belief that Hamas might focus more on improving the lives of residents in the Gaza Strip, which they govern, rather than engaging in armed struggle. I think this misconception contributed to the tragedy."

Regarding reports that Hamas’s rocket attacks penetrated Israel’s low-altitude air defense system, the 'Iron Dome,' and landed inside Israel, he pointed out, "I believe there is misinformation." He explained that the Iron Dome was not neutralized, but the number of casualties surged due to Hamas’s guerrilla-style continuous attacks.

Professor Seong stated, "This time, Hamas’s operation was not just about firing rockets," adding, "Ground forces entered and occupied 22 Israeli villages in southern Israel, killing all the civilians there. They entered civilian areas without military presence and massacred everyone."

Regarding the possibility of a fifth Middle East war breaking out, he firmly said, "There is none." He explained, "The likelihood of neighboring Arab countries participating in this war is very low. The fourth Middle East war was a war in which Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel, and this is a war between the state of Israel and non-state actors such as Hamas or Hezbollah."