Israel Military: "Hamas Used North Korean and Iranian Weapons in Surprise Attack"

Israeli Military Displays Captured Hamas Weapons

The Israeli military announced that some of the weapons used by the Palestinian armed group Hamas in their recent surprise attack on the Israeli border area were identified as being from North Korea and Iran. As evidence emerges that North Korea and Iran continue to supply weapons to international terrorist organizations while evading international sanctions, debates over strengthening sanctions are expected to intensify.

On the 26th (local time), the Israeli military revealed images of weapons captured following a surprise attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. The Israeli military claims that some of these weapons were manufactured in North Korea and Iran. [Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]

According to AFP on the 26th (local time), the Israeli military held a press event to display the weapons captured during Hamas's surprise attack on the southern Israeli border area on the 7th. Various heavy weapons used by Hamas in the operation, as well as mines, portable anti-tank grenade launchers, and drones, were exhibited.

On the 7th, Hamas launched a large-scale surprise operation by neutralizing the border barrier using hang gliders, bombs, and bulldozers, then deploying armed militants into the border area with Israel. As a result, more than 1,400 civilians were killed in Israel, and over 220 people remain held captive by Hamas. Israeli authorities believe that Hamas received the design and key weapons for this operation from Iran and North Korea.

An Israeli military official who requested anonymity stated, "10% of the Hamas weapons used here are from Iran, and another 10% are from North Korea," adding, "The rest were manufactured in the Gaza Strip." He further explained, "The most surprising thing is that they brought an enormous amount of weapons into Israel."

Earlier, Akiva Tor, the Israeli ambassador to South Korea, also mentioned on the 16th the possibility that Hamas used North Korean weapons in their attack on Israel. There have been reports that among the weapons captured by the Israeli military from Hamas was a North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Despite international sanctions against North Korea and Iran, the revelation that large quantities of weapons have been supplied to Hamas is expected to deepen the controversy over strengthening sanctions.

The U.S.-based North Korea specialist media 38 North pointed out that although North Korean authorities deny supplying weapons to Hamas, they have been providing weapons to various militias and rebel groups in the Middle East for decades.