The Connection Between North Korean Weapons and Hamas Terrorist Attacks in Israel
Recent analysis and evidence, including a militant video and weapons seized by Israel, suggest that the Hamas terrorists responsible for a brutal assault in Israel on Oct. 7 had access to North Korean weapons. Despite previous denials from North Korea, these findings point to a direct link between the terrorist group and the East Asian nation.
One weapon that has been at the center of this controversy is the F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, a shoulder-fired weapon typically used against armored vehicles. Two experts on North Korean arms and South Korean military intelligence have confirmed the authenticity of a video showing Hamas terrorists using the F-7 rocket launcher. The Associated Press has also conducted its own analysis of weapons captured on the battlefield.
These rocket launchers are highly valuable for smaller militias and guerrilla forces due to their ability to fire a single warhead and be quickly reloaded. According to Matt Schroeder, a senior researcher with Small Arms Survey, the presence of North Korean weapons with Hamas is not surprising given North Korea’s history of supporting Palestinian militant groups.
In addition to the F-7 rocket launcher, Hamas propaganda videos and photos have shown their fighters with North Korea’s Bulsae guided anti-tank missile. They have also used North Korea’s Type 58 self-loading rifle, a variant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Imagery of the weapons used by Hamas terrorists confirms the connection to North Korea. While the North Korean F-7 shares similarities with the widely distributed Soviet-era RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade, it has distinct differences, including a red stripe on its warhead. Images published by Hamas show fighters with rocket-propelled grenades featuring the red stripe and other design elements matching the F-7.
This evidence has led South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff to identify the F-7 as one of the weapons used by Hamas in the attack. However, the Israeli military has not disclosed the origin and manufacturer of the rocket-propelled grenades, citing the ongoing war with Hamas.
North Korea has a history of supplying weapons to Palestinian militant groups and has maintained diplomatic relations with Palestinian leaders since 1966. Despite Pyongyang’s denial of supplying weapons to Hamas, previous incidents, such as the detection of a North Korean cargo plane in 2012 carrying rockets and rocket-propelled grenades bound for Hamas, suggest otherwise.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has generated various speculations and rumors, including accusations against North Korea. However, it is crucial to rely on analysis, evidence, and expert opinions to understand the complex dynamics and connections between different actors in this conflict.
It is clear that further investigation and international cooperation are necessary to uncover the full extent of North Korea’s involvement in supplying weapons to Hamas and its impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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