Gaza's homegrown weapons: How Hamas, PIJ left 'Israel' in shambles
The Korean-produced Bulsae-2 anti-tank system seen during a military parade of al-Qassam Brigades (illustrated by: Arwa Makki, Al Mayadeen English)
Operation Al-Aqsa Flood has produced one of the greatest epics, underlining a near-perfect coordinated attack on multiple fronts of Assyemteric and combined arms warfare Warfare.
The victorious day of October 7 did not come out of thin air. It can be traced back to the diligent and sacrificial work of Resistance fighters - not just in Palestine, but throughout the entire Axis of Resistance.
A previous article published on Al Mayadeen discussed advances made by the Palestinian Resistance, specifically the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades following Operation Avenging the Free back in May.
This article will focus on the large innovations produced before October's offensive and later utilized to bring forward a series of events that shocked both allies and enemies of the Palestinian Resistance.
Al-Aqsa Flood: The choice of the Palestinian people
As discussed previously, Palestinian Resistance members work under the harshest conditions to produce rockets, improvised explosives, and drones, that have enforced Gaza's deterrence against the Israeli occupation.
A strict siege has barred all commodities that could be used for "dual-purposes", i.e., civilian and military use, and has pushed Gazans to use any means possible to arm themselves. However, the difficulty of operations has been alleviated by tenacious continued efforts from military backers to share the fruits of their own labor, produced through their own struggle against imperialists and their agents.
Furthermore, these cooperative efforts have had a huge impact on the growth of several Resistance factions within Gaza, as similar weapon systems and technologies could be seen in footage released by distinct groups, which hold various ideologies united for a common goal of freeing Palestine from Zionist settler colonialism.
Under the Joint Operations Room (JOR), Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, PIJ's al-Quds Brigades, al-Mujahideen PFLP's Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, DFLP's National Palestinian Resistance Brigades, al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, PFLP-GC's Jihad Jibril Brigades, and Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades among others joined forces to consolidate and strengthen the Palestinian national choice of resistance.
Unveiled drones show similarities to Yemeni ones
Just a few days before the operation was launched, al-Quds Brigades paraded an array of weapons and systems to commemorate the movement's 36th anniversary.
Among the weapons on display, the Brigades featured several trucks carrying unmanned aerial vehicles.
- The Sayyad drone: An attack drone that can be utilized as a loitering munition to be sent on kamikaze missions, dealing severe damage to enemy positions, a kin to the Khattaf drone developed by Sanaa's forces.
- The Hudhud drone: With a name that is a direct reference to the Eurasian hoopoe bird, the drone resembles other reconnaissance drones owned by Hezbollah and the Yemeni Armed Forces.
- The Sahab drone: A drone that can be used for both reconnaissance missions and attacks on enemy positions.
Although all the drones might have been used to track and attack enemy positions throughout several days of confrontations, the only announced usage of the new drones was the Sayyad, which targeted Israeli positions and military sites.
The released video showing the launching of several drones was accompanied by footage from a command center where monitors displayed live camera footage of nearby sites as well as satellite imagery used to coordinate the attack.
Moreover, Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades released footage of its al-Zouari attack drone, saying that 35 drones targeted enemy positions on October 8. The drones offered aerial support for the resistance fighters who executed an infiltration operation into the occupied Palestinian territories of the Gaza Envelope.
The suicide drones were dubbed al-Zouari in reference to the late Martyr Mohamed Zouari, a Tunisian aerospace engineer who laid the basis for al-Qassam's drone program and was assassinated by the Mossad in 2016.
Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades also showed their use of drones in the context of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, flying a six-rotor powered drone carrying an explosive payload, as well as their AQ suicide drones which also targeted enemy positions on October 8.
Drones have been an essential component of Operation Al-Aqsa flood, providing both cover for advancing ground forces and taking out Israeli remote weapon systems (RWS) and armored vehicles.
Rockets, MRLs: The key to success
In a later article, we will discuss more extensively how the use of drones, guided anti-armor missiles, powered gliders, inflatable speed boats, barrages of rockets, and rocket artillery provided the means for the successful infiltration of multiple Israeli military sites.
For now, a list delving, as much as possible, into the Palestinian Resistance rocket arsenal will suffice for the groundwork for further analysis of the Resistance's effective tactics against the Middle East's supposed top-ranking military.
Al-Qassam unveils Rajoum MRL
On the second day of confrontations, al-Qassam Brigades unveiled its RajoumMultiple Rocket Launcher (MLR), in a cinematic footage showing a lineup of several launchers that host 114 mm artillery rockets which were used during the first wave of barrages on Israeli settlements and military positions.
The launchers contain 15 slots hosting 114 mm artillery rockets. This type of system is used to shell enemy positions in relatively close proximity. Interestingly, the system which is based on World War 2 technology has been fitted on an adjustable platform allowing the launcher to fire at a range of angles via a crank.
It is most likely that the rocket's flight trajectory is stabilized through grooves rifled into its tube launcher, seeing that its body contains no fins to do so.
Although such military development may described as "ancient" considering the Israeli occupation forces' top-of-the-line weapons and systems, rifling a launcher or a barrel in Gaza may be a difficult process to achieve. This is due to extreme sanctions imposed on the Gaza Strip which have seen basic goods such as sugar and even chocolate cut momentarily. Under such circumstances, it is nearly impossible to transfer heavy equipment needed for standardized military production due to logistical hurdles, however, the Resistance always discovers innovative solutions to break through the Israeli siege.
Artillery, rockets in the possession of the Palestinian Resistance
The Palestinian Resistance has taken great strides since "Israel" withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
The intricate tunnel systems hosting Resistance fighters, weapons, rockets, mortar rounds, and explosives have allowed for this progression. Tunnels allowed the Resistance the necessary seclusion from enemy detection allowing them to develop "production rooms" which in turn led to exponential advances in production capabilities. From swirling artillery rockets that meant no real threat to Israeli soldiers and settlers, the Resistance was able to develop rockets that broke the IOF's back on multiple occasions.
Nevertheless, just possessing rockets that can cover any point in occupied Palestine, as evident in the Battle of Seif Al-Quds in 2021, is not enough to threaten the settler colonial project that is "Israel."
In fact, with all the military technology that the zionist entity possesses and its ability to track and analyze information through its intelligence networks, the Resistance in Palestine needed to develop an impeccable strategy to fire its rockets and shells at targets.
After multiple confrontations and accumulated experiences, Gaza's rocket launching process toward occupied territories rarely reveals launching positions. The integration of technology and impeccable logistical processes has allowed fighters much greater safety on the battlefield. This has allowed the Resistance to conserve experienced fighters and scarce military equipment.
Just two days after the Operation was launched al-Quds Brigades revealed a Multiple Rocket Launcher built into a tunnel system. The system launches homegrown Katyusha (BM-21 Grad) rockets offering the Brigades' fighters protection from retaliatory Israeli strikes and camouflaging the launcher flat into the surface above it.
Furthermore, the Resistance's factions through their JOR have developed mechanisms into which each is tasked with a different mission based on capabilities and needs to bring forward a well-organized complimentary mechanism that has left the Israeli occupation forces in shambles on October 7.
A list of available weapons and their uses
Finally, here is a list of rocket artillery, mortars, and MRLs uniquely in the possession of each faction or shared among all.
Short to medium-range artillery rockets
Note: All ranges correspond to the number following the identifying term or letter in kilometers.
- Katyusha artillery rockets: This Soviet-developed rocket formed the basis for rocket production among various Resistance factions. PIJ's Quds and Hamas' Qassam were built and adapted to Soviet production.
- Boraq 10, 40 rockets: This line of rockets hosts several distinct rockets with various ranges, going from 10km to 120km, carrying variating payloads. Al-Quds Brigades recently revealed a multiple rocket launcher which can carry and fire 24 rockets simultaneously.
- S-40: Al-Qassam's S-40 has proven to be an effective weapon targeting nearby occupied cities such as Askalan and "Sderot", making them uninhabitable during days of confrontation.
- Badr 3: Al-Quds Brigades short-range 3-meter-long rocket carries 200-350 kg payloads and has been used to target occupied Askalan dealing severe damage to positions in the occupied city.
Long-range rockets
- Ayyash 250: The Rocket was first unveiled and fired by Hamas in May 2021, allegedly targeting the "Eilat-Ramon" Airport halting all flights in "Israel" in a historic first. The rocket as per the name has an effective range of 250 km, meaning that the Resistance can now target any point in occupied Palestine from Gaza. More recently, the rocket was fired towards Safad in northern Palestine where the IOF's northern command is headquartered.
- Jaafar rocket: A rocket recently unveiled by al-Quds Brigades during an unprecedented military parade on October 4, 2023. The rocket's frame was marked with three question marks on which a number would usually be painted indicating the rocket's range; mind games previously employed with the Ayyash 250 rocket.
- Boraq 60, 70, 85, 120: The Boraq 85 has been the most threatening to "Israel" as it is usually launched towards "Tel Aviv". This variant has a diameter of 220mm and carries a 40 kg payload to an effective range of 85 km.
- M-75: This rocket was named after Martyr Ibrahim al-Makhadmeh and can be launched towards "Tel Aviv". In October 2023, the rocket has seen substantial usage as "Tel Aviv" is targeted almost every day by the Palestinian Resistance.
- J-80: Another al-Qassam rocket J-80 has a longer range and a larger payload than the M-75 and was named after Martyr Ahmed Jabari. It was first deployed in 2014 just like the M-75.
What is of most importance is that many of the launchers have been upgraded with electronic and hydraulic devices which allow Resistance fighters safety to carry out their mission. Since May 2023, the amount of Resistance fighters who have been targeted by Israeli warplanes has seen a sharp decrease relative to previous rounds of confrontation.
Artillery and explosive projectiles
- Qassim: The rocket-assisted munition carries a large payload of 400 kg of explosive material, al-Quds Brigades recently unveiled an improved version of the rocket. The munition which is launched on a single pad has a reported effective range of 5-10 km. It has been an effective tool used to hit nearby Israeli military groupings and positions. In a possible invasion of Gaza, the rocket will prove essential for Resistance fighters.
- 100 mm and 120 mm mortar shells: These types of mortars have become a mainstay for every Resistance faction in Gaza, Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades have been proud of their ability to produce large quantities of the munition. In Operation Al-Aqsa Flood they barraged Israeli positions to provide cover for Resistance fighters in Gaza's Envelope.
- 140 mm mortar shells: This unique weapon was first introduced in May 2022 by Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades and carries a larger payload than the aforementioned mortar shells. Both the mortar and shells are produced in local manufacturing sites and have an effective range of 8 km.
- Multiple Rocket Launchers of the 107 mm: These launchers carry solid fuel-propelled rockets and closely resemble the Chinese Type 63 launchers. They have an effective range of 7km and can launch 7 rockets simultaneously.
- More MLR: Another widely available MLR is a 4-slotted launcher which has an effective range of 10 km. Each faction locally produces and brands the ammunition needed for these weapons.
Anti-Armor Rocket launchers and guided missiles
- 9M133 Kornet: A Russian man-portable anti-tank guided missile that has struck fear into Israeli armored vehicle crews. How the Kornet made its way to Gaza is still a mystery, but it is reported that the weapon was transferred from the arsenal of the Syrian Arab Army to Palestinian Resistance factions in Gaza.
- Bulsae-2: An anti-tank guided missile system produced in the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK). It is a variant of the Soviet-made Fagot and its reported armor penetration capabilities are 400-500 mm. The Bulsae is another example of how Anti-Imperialist nations and factions support the Palestinian struggle.
- 9M14 Malyutka: Another Soviet-era weapon, the Malyutka has been deployed in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood targeting Israeli military vehicles, dealing confirmed hits.
- Rocket Propelled Grenades: The famous RPG that has long been disseminated across all Resistance factions has now been loaded with a tandem charge. Footage released by al-Qassam showed a fighter targeting a Trophy-equipped Merkava tank with a tandem charge, essentially putting the tank out of service, and allowing the special forces to detain its crew.
Finally, the Palestinian Resistance has released footage showing that it has gained expertise that has allowed it to produce its own variant of the PG-7VR charge. Al-Qassam Brigades' al-Yassin entered service for the first time during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, as the video footage shows.
The munition could also target the Merkava tank's turret via an overhead drone. A video released by al-Qassam showed an operator dropping al-Yassin on a Merkava tank's turret on the first day of confrontations, putting it out of service.
Al-Yassin is a dual/tandem charge, which means that it has two stages of detonation. The first explosive is a 64 mm charge while the second is a 105 mm charge. The finishing touches of the charges in the production room show just how far the Palestinian military production capabilities have evolved since Gaza was liberated in 2005. Its use during the operation showed just how effective it is, putting a Merkava tank out of service.