The recent assault by Hamas on Israel involving drones and rockets has raised concerns over the country’s preparedness for modern warfare threats. Expert warnings on drone capabilities and state reports have shed light on the vulnerabilities in Israel’s defences. The attack highlights the growing significance of drones in conflicts and the urgent need for advanced defence strategies against evolving threats.
On October 7, beginning around 6:30 a.m., Hamas launched a significant assault on Israel, deploying hundreds of rockets and dozens of drones. The drones targeted and disabled Israeli observation towers and military positions, resulting in a sophisticated first strike that allowed armed incursions at the border.
These drones dropped explosives on tanks and armored personnel carriers, which facilitated the entry of numerous armed individuals into Israel via motorcycles and on foot. As a result, Israeli settlements experienced violence, kidnappings, and other brutal activities by the infiltrators.
Dr. Liran Antebi, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, expressed concerns over this incident. Her previous warnings, based on extensive research on drone threats since 2013, had emphasized the potential precision strike capability of such technology. She noted that despite previous warnings, sufficient measures had not been taken to counter the drone threat.
State Comptroller reports from 2017 and 2021 also highlighted inadequacies in Israel’s preparedness for drone threats, which were evident during the October attack.
In a broader context, the use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is significant in modern conflicts. The impact of AI-powered drones in warfare was notably demonstrated during the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Ukrainian forces adapted by producing and deploying small, high-precision drones swiftly, increasing their production significantly to tens of thousands per month.
Hamas employed drones in various capacities from intelligence gathering to direct attacks. The techniques employed resembled those used by other groups in the region, including ISIS in Syria and Shiite militias in Iraq.
Additionally, the increased production and use of drones by Iranian-backed Hezbollah have posed ongoing challenges at Israel’s northern border, with numerous attempts to penetrate Israeli air defenses.
Despite advanced air defense systems like the Iron Dome, the IDF continues to face difficulties, as evidenced during the October assaults. Rapid operational improvements and integration of various radar and sensor systems are ongoing to better detect and intercept drones.
The October 7 attack underscored the evolving nature of drone warfare and the need for enhanced defensive and offensive strategies to counter these threats effectively. The events stress the importance of ongoing advancements in AI and drone technology in modern military conflicts.