In the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, the terrorist group utilized tactics that were seldom seen before. In addition to using powered gliders to infiltrate Israel from the Gaza Strip, Hamas also employed weaponized commercial drones to incapacitate Israeli defenses. This development has raised concerns among military experts, as it demonstrates a form of attack that could be replicated by insurgent and terrorist groups worldwide.
The use of easily accessible commercial drones, similar to those used by social media influencers, was first observed in Ukraine. The Ukrainian forces, outnumbered by the invading Russian military, have employed small drones equipped with improvised hand grenades and mortar rounds to target armored vehicles. This tactic has proven highly effective, as it allows the drones to disable vehicles or neutralize troops at a fraction of the cost of traditional weaponry.
During the recent attack on Israel, Hamas deployed a swarm of commercial drones armed with small bombs. While Hamas fighters demolished the border fence using bulldozers and powered gliders, the drones targeted watch towers along the border. These towers, while protected from the sides, lacked roof armor, allowing the bombs to directly hit the gunner’s seat and disable Israel’s initial line of defense.
Video footage also showed Hamas using a drone-dropped mortar to destroy an Israeli Merkava Mark IV tank. Tanks typically have thin armor on the top, which is their most vulnerable area. This is why anti-tank missile systems, such as the Javelin, often employ top-down attacks, targeting the lightly armored hatch on the tank’s upper part.
The emergence of drone warfare has prompted military planners worldwide to recognize the threat posed by drones. Many nations have invested in anti-drone technologies, such as jammers, to disable or take control of hostile drones.