Hamas Gets Hands On Dozens Of Drones That Israel Worries Could Be Used In Future Attacks

At least 28 drones have successfully entered the Gaza Strip in recent months despite dozens of Israeli interception efforts, raising concerns among Israeli security officials that many of them could be used by Hamas terrorists.

Army Radio reported Wednesday that the drones crossed into Gaza through multiple routes, including from Egypt and from within Israel. According to the report, Israeli defense officials believe most of the drones that successfully entered the strip ultimately reached Hamas, though it remains unknown what cargo many of them were carrying.

Israeli officials say the drones themselves could become valuable operational assets even if they were not transporting weapons or other supplies. According to Army Radio, Hamas has increasingly used drones to observe Israeli troop movements and carry out attacks by attaching explosives to the aircraft.

The report said Israeli authorities have thwarted 89 drone smuggling attempts since January. Combined with the 28 drones believed to have entered Gaza, that represents at least 117 known drone smuggling operations during the first half of the year. Israeli officials also cautioned that the figures only include known cases, meaning the real number of attempted or successful smuggling operations could be higher.

“The IDF claims that all smuggling attempts intercepted so far contained drugs only,” Army Radio reported. “However, as noted, dozens were not intercepted, and these figures represent only the cases known to the military.”

The report added that Israeli officials acknowledge some drones may have entered Gaza without ever being detected. Security officials also said it is impossible to determine what the drones that reached Gaza were carrying, according to Israel National News.

Israeli authorities have recently stepped up efforts to disrupt the smuggling networks. In June, Israel Police and the Defense Ministry confiscated property linked to drone smuggling into Gaza, while Defense Minister Israel Katz imposed economic sanctions on individuals accused of participating in the operations.

“Anyone who smuggles weapons, equipment, or funds to terrorist organizations in Gaza is part of the terrorist network itself and will pay a heavy price,” Katz said in a statement.

The concerns come as Israeli military leaders continue to warn about the growing role of drones in modern warfare. Hamas is reportedly studying Hezbollah’s use of explosive drones in Lebanon, where such attacks have killed 16 Israeli soldiers and wounded many more in recent months, according to the Jerusalem Post.

In May, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir described Hezbollah’s first-person-view drone capabilities as “a challenge” but said the military already has “operational and technological solutions” in development to counter the threat.

“The drone threat is a challenge, but we will overcome it,” Zamir said. “The battlefield is unpredictable and always will be, but we are dedicating the IDF’s best resources, minds, and capabilities to this issue.”

Israeli officials have increasingly pointed to drones as one of the evolving threats facing the military, both from Hezbollah in Lebanon and from Hamas in Gaza, as armed groups continue adapting commercially available technology for military purposes.