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Israeli soldiers in Gaza have uncovered a clandestine effort by the terror group to develop precision-guided missiles with the help of Iranian expertise. The discovery comes as the conflict enters its third month, with no signs of an imminent resolution.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) revealed on Sunday that during a raid on a Hamas site near Gaza City’s Daraj and Tuffah neighbourhoods, troops stumbled upon a sophisticated guided-missile program.
The operation led them to an underground weapons manufacturing plant where they found evidence indicating that Hamas terrorists had received training under Iranian guidance to operate and build precision components for strategic weapons.
Images shared by the IDF depicted what they claimed to be the rocket engine and warhead of a cruise missile developed by Hamas, marking a dangerous advancement in the terror group’s arsenal.
While Hamas has been known for its unguided rockets, the discovery of a precision-guided missile program raises concerns about a potential escalation in the group’s capabilities.
Israel has long accused Iran of attempting to export precision missile technology to its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, and has taken military action in Syria to thwart such transfers.
However, the focus on Hamas, which has historically relied on unguided rockets, is a new and alarming development for Israeli security.
The revelation underscores the complexity of the regional dynamics as the conflict in Gaza persists amid international efforts to broker a ceasefire.
Even as US President Joe Biden’s top diplomat headed to the region to push for de-escalation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled that Israel was not yet ready to wind down its war against Hamas.
Rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza have diminished in recent weeks, but the discovery of the precision-guided missile program serves as a stark reminder of the continued threat posed by the militant group.
A barrage on central and southern Israel on January 1 highlighted the group’s remaining arsenal, prompting renewed concerns about civilian safety.
Israeli military officials reported on Saturday that they had successfully dismantled Hamas’s “military framework” in the northern Gaza Strip, including Gaza City.
The focus has now shifted to dismantling the terror group’s infrastructure in central and southern Gaza. Intensifying battles and Israeli airstrikes in areas around Khan Younis and Rafah indicate a strategic push by Israeli forces to neutralize Hamas capabilities in these regions.
The IDF, specifically the Kfir Brigade, claimed to have killed dozens of terror operatives and destroyed over 100 Hamas targets in the Khan Younis area, including tunnels.
The ongoing military operations reflect Israel’s commitment to degrading Hamas’s capabilities and ensuring the security of its citizens.
As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, with concerns growing over the potential for further escalation and the implications of Iranian involvement in arming Hamas.
The discovery of the precision-guided missile program adds a new dimension to the conflict, raising questions about the long-term impact on regional stability and the effectiveness of international efforts to bring about lasting peace.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members