Hamas Drone Factory in Gaza Uncovered in Civilian Building  

Latest Developments 

A Hamas drone factory was uncovered on November 9 inside a residential building in northern Gaza, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Hamas terrorists used the facility to manufacture and warehouse drones and other weapons. The IDF said that Hamas’s explosives and operational plans were also found next to a children’s bedroom. A video released by the Israeli army shows IDF soldiers discovering the drone parts. The use of a residential building is further evidence of Hamas using civilian areas to shield its terror infrastructure.  

Expert Analysis 

“Hamas has developed drone capabilities over the last decade. It has used drones to drop munitions on vehicles and has also attempted to use them in longer-range attacks on Israel. Hamas drone manufacturing illustrates the wider threat that Iranian-backed drone development has had on the region. Iran traffics drones to Russia and has exported drones to terrorist groups.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow 

“Hamas has enhanced its drone production capabilities since first deploying them in the 2014 Gaza conflict. Given the extensive Iranian support to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, it’s highly likely that the regime transferred the military know-how to these organizations to reproduce drones locally en masse.” – Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal 

Hamas Head of Anti-Tank Unit Eliminated by IDF 

A fighter jet killed Ibrahim Abu-Maghsib, the head of Hamas’s anti-tank missile unit, the IDF said on November 9. Hamas has used anti-tank missiles against Israel over the last month after the terrorist group carried out the October 7 massacre of 1,400 people in Israel. The IDF is fighting to take control of Hamas strongholds in Gaza in neighborhoods around Gaza City as the Israeli army surrounds Hamas in the enclave.  

More Than 50,000 Gaza Civilians Have Used Humanitarian Corridor 

The IDF said that 50,000 civilians moved south from Gaza City on November 8 to avoid fighting between Hamas terrorists and the Israeli army. The IDF continues to call on civilians to take advantage of a humanitarian corridor. The corridor is along Salah a-Din Road and was open for six hours on November 9. Israel has attempted to open it daily during the afternoon to enable civilians to move to safety. 

Related Analysis 

“Widespread Attacks on Israeli Civilians Persist One Month On,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Hamas officials admit its strategy is to use Palestinian civilians as human shields,” by Natalie Ecanow  

“Israel Widens Anti-Tunnel War in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief