Hamas militants most likely used North Korean weapons in their October 7 attack on Israel.
Source. The Associated Press reports this based on the findings of South Korean officials, two North Korean weapons experts, and its own analysis of the weapons.
The AP claims that Hamas terrorists used an F-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (a copy of the Soviet RPG-7), which militants usually use against armored vehicles. However, arms expert N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of the Armament Research Services consulting company, clarifies that the North Korean grenade launcher is designed more to kill personnel, given its shape.
"North Korea has a long history of supporting Palestinian militant groups, and North Korean weapons have been previously registered as prohibited transfers," adds Jenzen-Jones.
The experts also noted that North Korean anti-tank missile system Bulsae and Type 58 assault rifle, which is a licensed copy of the Soviet AK-47, can be seen in Hamas propaganda videos and photos.
The North Korean mission to the UN did not respond to AP's request for comment. However, last week Pyongyang denied such allegations, calling them "baseless and false rumors" organized by the United States.
Background. As reported, Israeli Knesset member Zeev Elkin said that some of the weapons held by Gaza terrorists originally came from Russia.