The Path of American Arms to Hamas: Unraveling the Mystery
Several days ago, a video went viral showing a Hamas soldier expressing gratitude to Ukraine for American weapons. The central question that arises is whether these weapons were indeed provided by Ukraine.
Source: members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades parade during Hamas’ 27th anniversary celebration in 2014. Khalil Hamra/AP
Ukraine’s complex history involving arms sales on the black market raises doubts. Ukrainian soldiers have been previously apprehended for selling RPGs and rocket launchers illicitly. Ukraine’s reputation in this regard is significant, to the extent that it has even been discussed in the US Congress. However, if Ukraine had supplied these weapons, Hamas might have hesitated to publicly acknowledge it, avoiding any risk to Ukraine. Hence, it seems unlikely that the source of these weapons lies within Ukraine’s black market.
Another potential source is Afghanistan, where significant weaponry was left behind by retreating American troops. If the Taliban aimed to assist Hamas, they could potentially transfer these arms through Iran. Nonetheless, it’s important to note the historical enmity between the Sunni Taliban and Shia Iran. Their mutual distrust adds complexity to any cooperation between them. There is the possibility of a transit corridor between Iran and Afganistan supported by BRICS nations, but this remains speculative.
Source: A Russian soldier displays the weapons captured during Ukraine war.
Russia has also acquired substantial amounts of American weaponry during its conflict with Ukraine. In a fascinating turn of events, these arms have been exchanged directly with Iran for Shahed and Mohajer drones. These drones have proven highly effective in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. Hamas primarily receives logistical support from three sources: Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and Syria, all of which are Shia militias. Given Iran’s existing stockpile of American weapons, it seems plausible that Hamas sourced its weaponry from Iran. This scenario would also benefit Russia, but it’s crucial to note that Putin has shifted the blame to Ukraine, potentially causing the United States to rethink providing advanced weaponry to Ukraine.
In this complex geopolitical landscape, the origins of these American arms in the hands of Hamas are shrouded in mystery, making it an intricate puzzle for international observers to unravel.