Israel has declared a ‘state of war’ after the rocket attack by Palestinian armed group Hamas early morning on Saturday. The latest flare-up in the Palestine-Israel conflict is a result of the launch of ‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ by Hamas. The situation escalated as Hamas fired thousands of rockets towards Israel and its fighters reportedly invaded Israeli territory.

This aggression comes a day after the 50th anniversary of the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Despite launching an offensive against Israel when it comes to military might Hamas is nowhere closer to the prowess of its rival. Let’s take a look into the capabilities of both sides as the latest flare-up has resulted in a full-scale war-like situation.

Hamas leadership

Hamas, a prominent militant movement and one of the major political parties in the Palestinian Territories, continues to play a central role in the region. With governance over more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the group has gained international attention due to its active armed resistance against Israel.

Founded by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Palestinian cleric and former Muslim Brotherhood activist, Hamas emerged in December 1987 as the Brotherhood's political arm in Gaza during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Since its inception, Hamas has pursued its mission, including countering rival Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and publishing a charter in 1988, which boldly called for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in historic Palestine.

Despite international scrutiny, Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), has remained unwavering in its stance against Israel. Notably, in 2017, the organisation presented a revised document that accepted the concept of an interim Palestinian State along the Green Line border established before the Six-Day War. However, it stopped short of recognising Israel, maintaining its enduring position.

In the current political landscape, Ismail Haniyeh holds the position of political chief, succeeding long-time leader Khaled Meshaal in 2017.

Hamas’ Arsenal

The program ‘What is Hidden is Greater,’ aired on Qatar's Al Jazeera channel on September 13, revealed exclusive footage showcasing members of Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, collecting Iranian Fajr missiles and Kornet Anti-Tank shells. According to Hamas, these weapons were obtained through clandestine means, bypassing military bases, and aviation and maritime patrols. The report also exposed the manufacturing of new missiles using Israeli missile remnants from the 2014 war in Gaza.

Additionally, an anonymous arms dealer in Gaza disclosed to Al-Monitor that various military factions, led by Hamas, possess Iranian R-160 and Fajr-5 missiles with a range of 100 kilometres (62 miles). They also have drones, anti-tank missiles and shoulder-launched rockets supplied by Russia. Plans are underway to acquire Chinese C-704 missiles, anti-ship missiles with a range of 35 kilometres (21 miles) and radar systems for guided missiles.

Israel's Nuclear Arsenal

Israel's nuclear capabilities continue to be shrouded in secrecy, as the country neither confirms nor denies the existence of its nuclear arsenal. According to the Arms Control Centre, Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Estimates suggest that the nation has approximately 90 plutonium-based nuclear warheads, with enough plutonium production capacity for 100-200 weapons, according to reports.

Further insights from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute indicate that Israel is thought to have around 80 nuclear weapons. Among these, approximately 30 are gravity bombs designed for delivery by aircraft, while the remaining 50 are intended for deployment via Jericho II medium-range ballistic missiles. These missiles are believed to be stationed in caves at a military base east of Jerusalem, mounted on mobile launchers. Notably, there is uncertainty surrounding the operational status of a new Jericho III intermediate-range ballistic missile, following a rocket propulsion system test conducted by Israel in 2013.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)