‘Hostage Shield’ tactical variable
Comparing Israel-Hamas military power…
The military power of Hamas, the Palestinian armed group that carried out a surprise attack on Israel, is greatly inferior to that of Israel. The military is one-twentieth that of Israel, and the firepower of its weapons is incomparably inferior.
According to the Israeli military and the Stockholm Institute for International Peace Studies, Hamas has 20,000 to 30,000 troops. Israel has 630,000 soldiers, including 170,000 regular troops and 460,000 reserve troops.
Hamas’ missiles used in this surprise attack are Iranian-made multiple launch missiles such as Parz-3 and Parz-5. It is also known that the Syrian-made M-302 rocket, which has a maximum range of 160 km, was also imported through Iran. It is estimated that Hamas possesses up to 10,000 missiles. Although the firepower of the missile itself is not great, it neutralized Israel’s advanced interception and defense system ‘Iron Dome’ by firing thousands of missiles simultaneously at unexpected times.
The British International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) analyzed that “Hamas overwhelmed Iron Dome with a huge amount of rocket attacks and slowed down the response by distracting attention with rockets.” Hamas is known to have used up to 7,000 rounds in this attack, but there are still spares left for additional attacks.
Israel is armed with advanced weapons that are incomparable to Hamas. According to the Stockholm Institute for International Peace Studies, Israel unofficially possesses nuclear weapons. With support from the United States, it has about 600 fighter jets, including 50 F-35 fighters, and 2,200 tanks. Last year’s defense spending was $23.4 billion (about 31.32 trillion won), ranking 15th in the world.
Qatar’s state-run Al Jazeera analyzed the factors behind Hamas’ success in this surprise attack, saying, “Hamas minimized casualties and maximized the impact of the operation by reducing direct confrontation through strategies such as ‘hit and run’ attacks, ambush attacks, and sniping attacks.” . In addition, before launching the rocket, drones were used to destroy surveillance towers and mobile communication base stations installed on the border to facilitate ground infiltration.
In particular, in preparation for Israel’s deployment of ground troops, they are also using the tactic of taking about 150 civilian hostages and using them as ‘human shields’. IISS analyzed, “If a battle breaks out in the Gaza Strip, Hamas will try to limit the capabilities of the Israeli military by making full use of complex terrain such as underground tunnels and blurring the distinction between unit members and civilians.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.