The New York Times: Israel is a major source of arms for Hamas

The New York Times reported that Israel is a major source of weapons and ammunition for Hamas, which manufactures explosives from unexploded Israeli shells or obtains them from Israeli arsenal stocks.

The New York Times, citing Western and Israeli security officials, indicated that recent intelligence information revealed the extent of Hamas’ ability to manufacture a large number of its missiles and anti-tank weapons from thousands of unexploded Israeli shells in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas also arms its fighters with weapons, stolen from Israeli military bases.

The New York Times cites the former deputy head of the IED Disposal Department in the Israeli police, Michael Kardash, who explained that Hamas manufactures explosives from unexploded Israeli ordnance.

Hamas members extract explosives from them and use them later in their missiles, and the number of unexploded shells in the Gaza Strip may reach thousands.

According to military experts, the percentage of unexploded shells may reach 10%, but another Israeli intelligence official, who preferred to remain anonymous, indicated that Israel used ammunition remaining from the Vietnam War in its war on the Gaza Strip, and therefore this percentage may be higher and reach 15%.

According to the New York Times, the Israeli authorities were aware of deficiencies in the weapons storage system, allowing some of them to be smuggled.

A military report issued in early 2023 indicates that hundreds of grenades, light weapons, and thousands of bullets and ammunition were stolen from poorly guarded Israeli bases, during an unspecified period of time.

In addition, during the October 7 attack, Hamas members seized quantities of weapons, or smuggled them from the Sinai Peninsula through tunnels.