Israel Dismantles Hamas Naval Commando Training Facility

Latest Developments

Israel has taken control of the Gaza harbor, which Hamas used as a training facility for its naval commando forces, the Israel Defense Forces said on November 16. The harbor is located west of Gaza City on the coast. During the operation, IDF combat engineers identified 10 terror tunnels and destroyed them. The IDF also killed 10 Hamas terrorists. In recent days, Israel also took control of administrative buildings used by Hamas and cleared other Hamas facilities.

Expert Analysis

“The capture of the harbor in Gaza is an important phase in the defeat of Hamas. Hamas invested in naval terror over the last decade, using Gaza’s civilian fishing fleet for cover. The terrorist group trained naval commandos, and these became an increasing threat to Israel. Israel is defeating each piece of the extensive Hamas terror network in Gaza.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“For almost two decades, Israel allowed Hamas’s military capabilities to grow, believing that the IDF could manage the threat. October 7 demonstrated that this paradigm has failed. Every aspect of Hamas’s military will be dismantled in the coming weeks and months, and Israel will never again allow a genocidal regime to reign on its borders.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

Hamas Used Harbor for Naval Terrorism

The IDF destroyed four buildings at the Gaza harbor. Hamas “used the harbor as a training facility for their naval commando forces for planning and executing naval terror attacks. Under the guise of a civilian harbor, Hamas used the area for training and carrying out terror attacks, all the while using civilian and Gaza harbor police vessels,” the IDF said. Hamas has engaged in maritime terrorism for more than a decade. In 2014, for example, Hamas naval commandos attacked the coast of Israel near Gaza, and the IDF subsequently killed them. In 2018, Israel reinforced its barrier along the sea to protect against attacks.

Hamas Naval Commandos Attacked Israel on October 7

Hamas naval commandos attacked Israel on October 7 as part of the terrorist group’s massacre of 1,200 people. Naval commandos attacked the Zikim beach area and murdered civilians. The Israeli navy killed the terrorists over the course of two days. On October 28, Israel killed Hamas naval terror commander Rateb Abu Sahiban, who had attempted an attack on the Zikim beach on October 24. Throughout the war, Israel has used naval commandos and ships to target Hamas coastal terror infrastructure.

Related Analysis

“Hidden Hamas Headquarters at Gaza Hospital Reached by Israeli Forces,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel steps up raids, accuses Hamas of using hospital for cover,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“IDF Battles Palestinian Terrorists in West Bank City of Tulkarm,” FDD Flash Brief