Skip to main content

Hamas boosts military capabilities amid preparations for Palestinian elections

Israeli military sources revealed that Iran’s aid has helped Hamas’ military arm achieve gradual military progress in the Gaza Strip and boost its rockets and drones production capabilities.
People watch as rockets are fired during a military drill by Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and other Palestinian armed factions, Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Dec. 29, 2020.

As Hamas and Fatah continue to hold talks on the upcoming Palestinian general elections, Israeli statements and reports have circulated about Hamas' growing military capabilities. Meanwhile, Israel launched airstrikes against military targets in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of March 24, in response to a rocket fired from the enclave toward the city of Beersheba. No injuries have been reported.

The Israeli reports on Hamas’ military capabilities have coincided with the movement’s preparations to run in the elections in a few months and its ongoing political talks with Fatah. This has raised questions on any potential contradictions between the military and political paths Hamas has opted for recently.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.