Details Emerge on the Weapons North Korea Sells to Hamas
RPG-7s Are Among That List
Overt Operator
October 24, 2023
Rising tensions in the Middle East have taken a new twist with allegations of Hamas using North Korean military technology in its attacks on Israel. This follows the deadly terrorist attacks orchestrated by Hamas against Israel on October 7, triggering serious concerns from both Israel and South Korea about the links between the Palestinian militant group and the East Asian dictatorship.
On October 16, Israeli Ambassador to South Korea, Akiva Tor, expressed apprehension over the potential use of North Korean arms by Hamas in its recent attacks. He further pledged to dismantle North Korean weapon caches in the Gaza Strip.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff echoed these concerns a day later. A senior official from the organization claimed that there are believed to be direct or indirect connections between Hamas and North Korea, particularly in areas such as arms trade, tactical guidance, and training.
In response to these allegations, North Korea's state Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) dismissed them as "groundless and false rumors." The agency also accused the US of stirring this conspiracy to shift attention away from its involvement in the Gaza War. This accusation by Pyongyang was countered by US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who stated that there was no confirmation of North Korea arming Hamas.
However, mounting evidence seems to contradict North Korea's denials. Reports have emerged that Israel has captured a North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, also known as the RPG-7 launcher, from Hamas's arsenal. The grenade is typically shoulder-fired and used against armored vehicles.
Further allegations by a South Korean official suggest the discovery of North Korean Bang-122 artillery shells on the Israel-Gaza border. It was also claimed that a Hamas-aligned Palestinian militant group has North Korean-made 122-mm multiple rocket launchers
These allegations would not be the first instances of North Korea supplying arms to non-state actors in the Middle East. The country has a documented history of transferring military technology to its security partners, Iran and Syria. This technology has reportedly found its way to Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and other militant groups in the region.
In the face of this evolving situation, the international community is watching closely, with the potential ramifications of these allegations on Middle East peace efforts and North Korea's international standing remains to be seen.Rising tensions in the Middle East have taken a new twist with allegations of Hamas using North Korean military technology in its attacks on Israel. This follows the deadly terrorist attacks orchestrated by Hamas against Israel on October 7, triggering serious concerns from both Israel and South Korea about the links between the Palestinian militant group and the Asian superpower.
On October 16, Israeli Ambassador to South Korea, Akiva Tor, expressed apprehension over the potential use of North Korean arms by Hamas in its recent attacks. He further pledged to dismantle North Korean weapon caches in the Gaza Strip.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff echoed these concerns a day later. A senior official from the organization claimed that there are believed to be direct or indirect connections between Hamas and North Korea, particularly in areas such as arms trade, tactical guidance, and training.
In response to these allegations, North Korea's state Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) dismissed them as "groundless and false rumors." The agency also accused the US of stirring this conspiracy to shift attention away from its involvement in the Gaza War. This accusation by Pyongyang was countered by US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who stated that there was no confirmation of North Korea arming Hamas.
However, mounting evidence seems to contradict North Korea's denials. Reports have emerged that Israel has captured a North Korean F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, also known as the RPG-7 launcher, from Hamas's arsenal. The grenade is typically shoulder-fired and used against armored vehicles.
Further allegations by a South Korean official suggest the discovery of North Korean Bang-122 artillery shells on the Israel-Gaza border. It was also claimed that a Hamas-aligned Palestinian militant group has North Korean-made 122-mm multiple rocket launchers.
These allegations would not be the first instances of North Korea supplying arms to non-state actors in the Middle East. The country has a documented history of transferring military technology to its security partners, Iran and Syria. This technology has reportedly found its way to Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and other militant groups in the region
In the face of this evolving situation, the international community is watching closely, with the potential ramifications of these allegations on Middle East peace efforts and North Korea's international standing remains to be seen.