Anadolu lists weapons tested by Israeli military in Gaza massacre

By Yavuz Aydin

ANKARA (AA) – Anadolu has compiled information on weapons and ammunition tested by Israel for the first time on the battlefield in Gaza after Oct. 7.

In the first part of the series on these weapons, it was stated that Israel's military infrastructure is largely known to be of US origin.

After the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that left nearly 1,200 people dead, the Israeli army established the new reserve Hashomer (Guardian) 855 Brigade, which Tel Aviv claimed would be used to defend Israeli communities.

Israel claims that this brigade of reserve soldiers will be focused on protecting illegal settlements along the Gaza border rather than launching attacks. However, it is believed that this brigade is also used in intensified attacks on Gaza.

For the first time since 2005, the Kfir Brigade has been deployed in Gaza, along with the 5th Reserve Division, the 19th Infantry Division, and the 888th Refaim Special Forces Unit, which was established in 2019 as part of LOTAR, which is responsible for counter-terrorism training.

Israel has additionally formed a new tank unit, Phoenix, and assigned it to Gaza.

It is noted that these tanks are returned to combat readiness by repairing damaged tanks in attacks.

- Newly developed infantry, armored unit weapons

All ground force units involved in the massacres in Gaza have begun testing many new technological weapons and ammunition developed by the Israeli defense industry for the first time on Palestinians.

For the first time in the Gaza attack, Israel used the 7.62-millimeter Negev machine gun, which is capable of penetrating buildings.

Also, Holit and Yated shoulder-fired rockets were used by the military. They are said to be 40% more accurate than the Lao and Matador 90mm shoulder-fired rockets, which can be used to hit armored vehicles and precision targets inside buildings.

The Holit and Yated are also said to be 50% larger than the 10kg Lao and Matador, with increased range and more explosive power. They are more effective in urban warfare.

On Oct. 22, the Israeli army released footage of the Maglan commando unit using a new, precision-guided 120mm mortar shell known as the Iron Sting or Steel Sting against Hamas in Gaza.

The Iron Sting weighs 17 kilograms (37 pounds) and operates with laser and GPS navigation.

The 10-kilometer-range mortar shell is believed to have the power to pierce 20 centimeters of concrete and, due to its guidance system, minimizes civilian casualties.

The targets detected with the guided mortar shell can be destroyed in a single shot, without the need to contact the fire control center or make adjustment shots.

Israeli infantry divisions are using a third-generation targeting system known as Dagger.

Dagger was developed by the Israeli company Smart Shooter based on the SMASH electro-optic, algorithm-based fire control system.

The system tracks the target and alerts the shooter to the optimal firing moment.

It can be attached to the barrel of any type of rifle and automatically detects and locks onto UAV-like targets in the sky, calculating their direction of flight and speed. Dagger is claimed to be 350% more accurate than previous technologies.

Israel has announced that it has modified the US Lockheed Martin-made M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which can carry 12 rockets, to use AccuLAR-122 guided missiles.

It was noted that Elbit Systems' high-precision AccuLAR-122 missiles were used for the first time in Gaza on Oct. 6, 2023, since 2006.

The missiles, dubbed "Romach," are said to carry a 20-kilogram warhead and have a range of 40 kilometers.

The Israeli army also tested the fifth-generation Merkava type "Barak" (Lightning) tank for the first time in Gaza after adding to its inventory in Sept. 2023.

The most important feature of the tank is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). The "Barak" tank commander receives features similar to Elbit Systems' pilot helmets, which provide F-35 pilots with real-time information analysis.

With the system called "Iron Vision," the tank commander can see his surroundings 360 degrees as if the armor were transparent and control all of the tank's systems by pressing a button in front of his eye.

Another feature of Barak is the "Throphy" active defense system, which provides 360-degree protection against anti-tank rockets.

Barak has a similar firepower to previous Merkava tanks. The tank is outfitted with a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun with a range of 4 kilometers, two 7.62-millimeter machine guns, and a 60-millimeter mortar.

Additionally, combat information obtained from sensors on the vehicle is automatically shared with other vehicles and intelligence units at the center.

Furthermore, Israel announced that it had used the "Namer 1500" (Leopard) armored personnel carrier (APC) for the first time in Gaza.

The vehicle has a 1500 horsepower engine and is controlled via touch screens. It is stated that the new Namer, which is based on the Merkava tank chassis, has more advanced armor than fourth-generation Merkava tanks.

The Namer is outfitted with a remotely controlled combat station that contains a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.

This vehicle also has the "Throphy" active defense system. It was reported that Israel has reached an agreement with Oshkosh Defense to produce hundreds of "Namer 1500" vehicles worth more than £100 million, which will be funded with US assistance.

Israel also used the "Eitan" wheeled armored personnel carrier for the first time on Oct. 7 in the conflict at the Zikim training base and later in Gaza.

The Eitan 8X8 wheeled vehicle was produced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to replace the M113s.

With a three-person crew, the vehicle transports personnel and weapons. It comes with a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, a 12.7-millimeter anti-aircraft gun, and a 7.62-millimeter machine gun.

It also features the "Iron Fist" active protection system developed by Elbit Systems, which includes target detection radar, launcher, and countermeasure systems against anti-tank rockets.

*Alperen Aktas contributed to the story from Istanbul