Weapons Flow from Israel into Gaza as Security Breaches Replenish Hamas’s Arsenal
An Israeli security report says Hamas is rebuilding its military arsenal in the Gaza Strip and currently possesses hundreds of rockets, mostly short- or medium-range, aided by continuing smuggling operations from inside Israel.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing military officials, the movement’s armed wing has restored a small portion of its local production capacity after most weapons factories were destroyed during the war. It is nevertheless compensating for the shortfall by smuggling in equipment and ammunition, undermining the military’s operational gains in Gaza.
The report also says Hamas continually replenishes its ranks. Its fighting force is reportedly approaching 30,000, compared with US estimates of no more than 25,000 following the war that began on October 7, 2023.
Smuggling from Israel
According to security officials, a substantial proportion of the equipment smuggled into Gaza originates in Israel. Israeli individuals described as criminals have reportedly brought in various goods with the cooperation of personnel within the security forces in exchange for substantial payments.
The military’s Southern Command has also reported increasing use of drones to deliver supplies, although the scale of these operations remains relatively limited. Shipments include small-arms ammunition, cash, drugs and tobacco, helping the movement maintain its operational capabilities despite reduced local production.
The recovery comes amid diplomatic stagnation. Senior security officials say US President Donald Trump has lost interest in Gaza, while Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative in Gaza, and Jared Kushner, Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, continue efforts to establish a workable framework.
Meanwhile, military officials believe the ongoing operation in Hebron in the West Bank, backed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, “is no longer effective and is causing unnecessary tensions”.
The military launched the operation after an attack last month by two Palestinians from Hebron, Firas and Hamouda al-Jaabari. The attack killed Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roitman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilim and wounded three other soldiers.
No wanted suspects, weapons or militant infrastructure have so far been found in the targeted areas. Hebron’s deputy mayor, Khaled Fahd al-Qawasmi, told Haaretz that the military had forced 2,231 Palestinians from their homes.
