In a shocking and unprecedented move, Hamas terrorists employed powered gliders to launch a devastating attack on a music festival located near the Gaza Strip in Israel. Videos circulating on social media depicted the terrorists descending upon the festival site using these motorized gliders, leading to a harrowing scene where many festival attendees were either gunned down or taken hostage by Hamas militants.
This marks the first recorded instance of powered gliders being weaponized for such a heinous act. Several factors likely contributed to the decision of the Falcon, the air wing of the Hamas group, in choosing this unconventional weapon.
Powered gliders, often associated with adventure sports, typically cruise at speeds ranging from 24 to 80 km/h and can reach altitudes of up to 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) with the necessary permissions. These lightweight machines, weighing between 20 kg and 41 kg, rely on the pilot during takeoff. However, they are ill-suited for adverse weather conditions, turbulence, or intense thermal activity, especially in the hands of inexperienced pilots.
Evasion of Radar Systems:
The gliders’ capability to fly at low altitudes and slow speeds, their cost-effectiveness, and portability, made them a tactically appealing choice for Hamas. This combination allowed the terrorist group to evade radar detection and execute swift descents upon their targets. Hamas managed to cross the Gaza border fence, flying at low altitudes, thus bypassing Israel’s Iron Dome radar system. Powered gliders, with minimal metallic components and a radar-invisible profile, produced no radar signature, rendering them undetectable by radar systems. Notably, radar systems typically rely on metal objects to reflect their waves, and the gliders’ minimal metallic content made them virtually invisible to radar.
Cost-Effective and Convenient Equipment:
In a surprise move, Hamas orchestrated a multifaceted attack against Israel on October 7, taking advantage of the Israeli forces’ moment of vulnerability. This coordinated assault, involving ground, air, and water-based elements, left the Israeli defense forces perplexed and unable to mount an effective response. Israel’s Iron Dome system, designed to counteract incoming rockets and missiles with distinct signatures, proved ineffective against the unconventional threat posed by these motor gliders.
Ease of use and cost-effectiveness” of powered gliders made them an attractive choice for Hamas terrorists. These gliders could carry up to 15 liters of petrol and travel substantial distances, offering an affordable means to infiltrate Israeli territory and carry out their attack with minimal delay. The entire operation, from assembly to takeoff, could be completed in a matter of minutes, rendering the gliders a formidable tool for terrorist activities.
Furthermore, the training required for operating powered gliders is relatively straightforward, enabling rapid deployment of pilots with minimal expertise.
While powered gliders are traditionally associated with adventure enthusiasts, their transformation into instruments of terror has stunned and disheartened this community. These gliders provide a stark contrast to traditional military aircraft, such as helicopters, as they allow for quick and covert infiltration without radar detection.
Emphasized the versatility of the equipment, noting that the gliders could be rapidly assembled and launched within minutes, even in adverse weather conditions, making them highly effective for carrying out such covert operations.
The audacity and scale of the attack have brought attention to powered gliders, a recreational tool now tainted by their unexpected use as a military weapon.
The surprise weekend attack by Hamas resulted in a robust Israeli counteroffensive, resulting in approximately 2,800 casualties on both sides. Multiple videos surfaced on social media depicting brutal actions by Hamas terrorists against Israelis, including shocking incidents inside homes and in front of families. Israel, on its part, released images of infants whom they claimed were killed by Hamas terrorists, a claim contested by the terrorist group, citing media bias.
Israel has issued an evacuation notice to over 1 million Gazans, asking them to leave the region within 24 hours before a potential ground operation. In contrast, Hamas has called on residents of the Gaza Strip to remain in their homes. The impending Israeli ground invasion raises concerns of significant casualties.
