Smugglers exploit the Mediterranean’s northward longshore currents, which naturally pull buoyant or semi-submerged containers from the Egyptian coast toward Gaza’s shores.
By Hezy Laing
Since the destruction of many smuggling tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor, Hamas has significantly transitioned its logistics toward the Mediterranean Sea to replenish its arsenal of long-range rocket components.
This maritime smuggling strategy relies on a sophisticated network of “drop-off” points and underwater concealment rather than direct port-to-port delivery.
Hamas naval commandos and specialized smuggling units utilize civilian-looking fishing vessels that depart from Egyptian waters or international transit lanes.
These boats carry waterproofed capsules containing rocket engines, specialized electronics for guidance systems, and chemical precursors for solid propellants.
Smugglers exploit the Mediterranean’s northward longshore currents, which naturally pull buoyant or semi-submerged containers from the Egyptian coast toward Gaza’s shores.
By calculating precise drift patterns, they release waterproofed cargo into these “underwater conveyor belts,” allowing the steady flow of water to deliver heavy munitions while minimizing the need for detectable engine propulsion.
To evade the Israeli Navy’s 916th Patrol Squadron, smugglers often drop these tethered packages at designated GPS coordinates several miles offshore, where Hamas divers later retrieve them using underwater scooters.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have responded by deploying a multi-layered maritime barrier designed to turn the sea into a transparent battlefield.
This effort is led by the Navy’s “Snapir” unit and the use of advanced unmanned surface vessels (USVs) like the “Protector,” which can patrol the Gaza coastline for days without a crew.
These drones are equipped with high-definition sonar and “See-Through-Water” sensors that detect the acoustic signature of unauthorized divers or the physical presence of submerged smuggling containers.
Additionally, the IDF has integrated the “Mariner” system, an artificial intelligence platform that analyzes the movement patterns of hundreds of Palestinian fishing boats in real-time.
By identifying anomalies—such as a vessel lingering too long in a specific area or deviating from traditional fishing grounds—the Navy can intercept suspicious craft before they complete a transfer.
On the sea floor, the IDF has expanded its “Smart Barrier,” an underwater sensor-laden fence that utilizes seismic and acoustic detectors to identify the vibrations of Hamas’s mini-submarines or naval commandos.
When a breach is detected, the Navy can deploy precision depth charges or send remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) to seize the contraband.
This high-tech blockade has forced Hamas to use increasingly risky methods, but the IDF’s combination of persistent drone surveillance and AI-driven pattern recognition continues to shrink the window for successful maritime smuggling operations.
