Associated Press: Hamas Uses Weapons Made in Several Countries Including Iran Against Israel

On Monday, January 15, the Associated Press published an article examining the weapons used by Hamas since the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, relying on over 150 images. According to the report, Hamas has smuggled a diverse arsenal of weapons, mainly made in Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea, into the Gaza Strip during its 17 years of control. The Russian-made '9K32 Strela' anti-aircraft missile was seen in the hands of a Hamas fighter on the day of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. The Associated Press noted that while experts examining these Hamas weapons have been able to identify their production locations based on features and markings, there is no evidence to confirm whether these weapons were directly supplied to Hamas by these countries or purchased on the black market in some Middle Eastern countries. The report states that many images shared by Hamas on social media indicate that these weapons are relatively new and likely entered Gaza through boats, tunnels, or food shipments. The Associated Press quoted a military analyst from a think tank in Australia stating that the majority of Hamas's weapons are made in Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and Warsaw Pact countries (a military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War). The Iranian-made 'Sayyad AM-50' sniper rifle is among the weapons used by Hamas. This .50 caliber weapon can penetrate steel up to one inch thick and has previously been seen in the hands of Shiite militants linked to the Islamic Republic in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. The report mentions that weapons from the former Soviet Union, which have been copied and produced by Iran and China, are also among the weapons used by Hamas. According to the report, the Israeli army has obtained TC/6 anti-tank mines from Hamas, which, according to a former British army officer and explosives expert, have been copied by Iranian arms industries. Other weapons observed in the hands of Hamas fighters include a Chinese machine gun known as 'Type 80,' which has been renamed PKM-T80 after being copied by the Islamic Republic. The Israeli army and the United States have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of providing financial, training, and military assistance to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The Associated Press reported that the Iranian representative office did not respond to the news agency's inquiry about whether the Iranian government provided the 'Sayyad AM-50' to Hamas. However, a military expert, referencing equipment seen in a Hamas unit, told the Associated Press that it is nearly impossible for this group to produce a safe and accurate .50 caliber sniper rifle using such primitive equipment. According to the report, Hamas has also acquired or copied Iranian model suicide drones that have been used in the Ukraine war. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 240 hostages taken, the Israeli army launched an invasion of Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamic group supported by the Islamic Republic. Hamas has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and several other countries.