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Why Doesn't Hamas Make More Extensive Use of Drones?
(Strategic Assessment-Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Aviad Mendelboim and Liran Antebi - In the last decade, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) have become inexpensive and easy to operate. In 2012 the IDF destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis in Gaza used to manufacture and store high quality drones with a range of dozens of kilometers. Israel develops solutions in response to every means Hamas adopts for extensive use. This is due to Israel's technological superiority. In the last decade, Israel has used technology to prevent and foil attacks, it developed the Iron Dome interception system, it has applied advanced technologies to identify and destroy tunnels, and it is currently seeking technological solutions to the problem of incendiary kites and drones. Given the availability of drones, it was expected that Hamas would employ them under the cover of the civilian demonstrations at the Gaza border. In May 2018, Hamas deployed a booby-trapped drone under the cover of rioting near the fence. In May 2019, a pair of armed drones was used during a round of high-intensity fighting. However, Hamas actions indicate that it prefers to employ more primitive methods of warfare. Data from mid-2018 to mid-2019 show that of a total of 1,923 attacks from Gaza on Israel (including the use of live birds to start fires on two occasions), drone and model airplane bombs were used only 6 times. A number of factors restrain Hamas' use of advanced technologies: 1) Deterrence - The fatal outcome of a technologically advanced attack could generate a massive reaction given Israel's internal public support and even international legitimacy for a response. 2) Psychology - Using advanced technologies could harm Hamas' image as the weak side or the victim. 3) Political restraint - Hamas now depends on Egypt's help and Israel's willingness to compromise in exchange for a period of calm. The use of advanced technologies might upset the balance. 4) More primitive means have proved that they cause damage that Israel finds hard to foil, providing incentive for Hamas to use these means. Aviad Mendelboim is a research assistant at INSS, where Dr. Liran Antebi is a research fellow.