[Landmines, IEDs and EFPs: Introduction]

Media reports indicate that Palestinian terrorist entities have manufactured landmines and explosive devices for use in attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.


Laying mines in Gaza

In January 2005, Middle East Newsline reported that Palestinian terrorists, led by Fatah, were developing components for the production of car bombs. According to Israeli military sources, the components were designed to enhance car and other bombs. Hizballah, the Lebanese based terrorist organization, provided funding and expertise for the production of the car bombs.

By 2006, Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank had obtained high-grade explosives (with the help of Hizballah) that significantly improved the effectiveness of roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used against IDF patrols. For example, the Hamas manufactured Shawaz (Flame) EFP has a penetration capability of 200 mm (8") of steel.

Hamas has also stockpiled target-designated explosives, such as a thrown charge with a grenade mechanism. In addition, Hamas (and the other terrorist organizations) currently possess hundreds of anti-ACV charges (plate, hollow, and underbelly) and anti-infantry charges (plate and peripheral fragmentation charge, Claymore). Hamas is also likely to utilize explosive break-in devices, such as a Bangalore torpedo against fences and other barriers.


Hamas Shawaz (flame) EFP
Photo: Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

According to senior Israeli defense officials, Palestinian terrorists have emulated Hizballah's strategy of concealing explosive devices on the sides of roads patrolled by IDF jeeps. Although explosives are smuggled into the West Bank from the Sinai Desert, Palestinians continue to utilize indigenous explosive device that are less effective -- but still lethal.

During 2006, Palestinian terrorists smuggled an estimated 28 tons of standard-grade explosives into the Gaza Strip, compared with 6 tons in 2005. A 2008 report issued by the Israel Security Agency noted that between the takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 and early 2008, Hamas smuggled in at least 80 tons of explosives -- more than half the amount of explosives smuggled to the Gaza Strip since the disengagement. 1


Photo: Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

[Chronology]

Following is a list of major Palestinian terrorist attacks in which mines and various explosive devices were used against Israeli security personnel and civilians:

November 2000: Two Israeli civilians were killed and nine others - including five children - were injured when a schoolbus struck a roadside bomb in the Gaza Strip. Three of the injured children lost limbs in the attack.

February 2002: Three IDF soldiers were killed and a fourth wounded when an 80 kg mine exploded underneath their tank in the Gaza Strip.

March 2002: Three IDF soldiers were killed when their tank ran over a mine planted on the Karni-Netzarim road in the Gaza Strip.

February 2003: Four IDF soldiers were killed when an improvised Palestinian landmine destroyed their tank in the Gaza Strip.

April 2003: Four IDF soldiers were injured in the Gaza Strip when the armored vehicle they were traveling in struck a landmine.

March 2004: Four Israeli soldiers were wounded when an explosive device detonated underneath an IDF tank in the northern Gaza Strip. 2

May 2004: A 100 kilogram bomb planted by Hamas detonated under an IDF APC, killing six Israeli soldiers. 3

June 2004: One IDF soldier was killed and five other soldiers wounded when their position in the Gaza Strip was destroyed by Hamas terrorists who tunneled under the position and detonated a massive explosive charge. 4

July 2004: Five IDF soldiers were wounded when Palestinian terrorists detonated a roadside bomb against an IDF jeep near the Israeli community of Morag in the Gaza Strip. 5

December 2004: Five IDF soldiers belonging to the Bedouin reconnaissance battalion were killed and six others wounded when Palestinian terrorists detonated a booby-trapped tunnel under an army position in the Rafah sector (Gaza Strip). 6

2006: High-grade explosive (HAMAS) devices were used in attacks against IDF forces. Two high-grade side charges were identified as part of a complex chain near the main road in the Gaza Strip, four were used to attack IDF forces in Beit Hanoun during Operation Summer Rains (October 31 - November 26). 7

[Countering Landmines and IEDs]

RAFAEL Armament Development Authority and General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) have developed a laser system named "Thor" to counter roadside bombs. The system, which has been successfully deployed, utilizes the concentrated energy of a high-powered laser to clear unexploded bombs and improvised explosive devices. The directed energy from the laser may also be used to ignite combustible materials, as a standoff cutting torch, and for other combat purposes.

Thor combines the Israeli-produced high-energy laser with the Browning M2 12.7-mm machine gun, manufactured by General Dynamics, to destroy explosive devices. The weapon can be operated remotely or mounted on a vehicle/bomb-squad robot. Sensors continuously function during daylight hours or in nocturnal conditions to detect hidden explosive charges.

RAFAEL notes that, "Thor has demonstrated combat effectiveness in operational engagements - bringing an additional precision fire gun platform to the fight, while at the same time filling a unique tactical mission role..."


Thor: High Energy Laser IED Neutralization System

Developers explain that the directed energy from the laser rapidly clears unexploded devices by inducing a low-order burning or deflagration reaction in the explosive material from a safe distance.

"The directed energy from the laser may also be used to ignite combustible materials, as a standoff cutting torch, and for other combat purposes...The kinetic energy from the 12.7mm bullet fired by the M2 functions as a standoff disrupter, destroying fusing, thick-cased munitions and booby traps, also enabling distancing explosive hazards away from the force route. The M2 machine gun ultimately provides accurate, direct fire upon enemy forces and targets in either an offensive or defensive role." 8

[IDF IED Evac Unit]

In January 2008, the IDF announced that the Gaza Division Evacuation Team was renewing its routine exercises. The team is currently tasked with evacuating vehicles, including overturned tanks on the battlefield (even behind enemy lines). The team is slated to operate in coordination with various medical entities to evacuate injured soldiers. During drills, the team demonstrated that it was capable of evacuating dozens of vehicles without injury.

Southern Command Ordnance Commander, Colonel Zvika Gefen: "The renewal of the team's operations is part of the improvement of the exercises in the division and in improving its battle readiness...The team must evacuate the tank and its occupants quickly, especially when the tank is hit by an anti-tank missile, or by an IED, where there may be casualties. Immediately afterwards, it must bring it back into operation as soon as possible...The team must be familiar with the technical resources it has at its disposal, as well as the threats that it will be faced with...[and] needs to know how to use armored heavy machinery while under fire."

The evacuation team was established in 2002, following an incident in which a soldier was trapped in a tank damaged by an IED.

Gefen: "We utilized the Search and Rescue Unit of the Home-front Command who taught us and we eventually could teach them in turn...The resources that are at our disposal are similar to that which the search and rescue unit has, but they know how to handle incidents with cars - not tanks. Therefore, our machinery is heavier." 9

[References]

  1. Jennette Townsend, "Humanitarian Demining Efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," MAIC, 8.1, June 2004; "Palestinians Develop Car Bombs," MENL, January 26, 2005; Yaakov Katz, "Palestinians Up Quality of Improvised Explosives," Jerusalem Post, January 16, 2007; Hanan Greenberg, "Shin Bet Chief: Hamas Using Calm to Build Up Strength," YnetNews, February 5, 2007; Yaakov Katz, "Diskin: Egypt Is Not Active Enough," Jerusalem Post, February 5, 2007; "Anti-Israeli Terrorism, 2006: Data, Analysis and Trends," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S), March 2007; "Hamas’s Military Buildup in the Gaza Strip (Updated April 2008)," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, April 9, 2008;


  2. Jennette Townsend, "Humanitarian Demining Efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," MAIC, 8.1, June 2004.


  3. Arnon Regular, "IDF Combing Gaza for Remains of 6 Soldiers," Ha'aretz, May 12, 2004.


  4. "Victims of Palestinian Violence and Terrorism since September 2000," Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  5. Arnon Regular, "3 IDF Soldiers, 2 Officers, Hurt in Missile Attack in Gaza, Ha'aretz, July 8, 2004.

  6. Amos Harel, Aluf Benn, Yuval Azoulay, and Yoav Stern, "5 IDF Soldiers Killed in Gaza Tunnel Blast," Ha'aretz and Reuters, December 13, 2004.

  7. "Anti-Israeli Terrorism, 2006: Data, Analysis and Trends," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies (C.S.S), March 2007.

  8. Ezra HaLevi, "Israel Develops Laser to Destroy Roadside Bombs," IsraelNationalNews, November 8, 2006.

  9. Rani Sneh, "Gaza Division Evacuation Team Renews Exercises," IDF Spokesperson's Office, January 17, 2008




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