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More than 173,000 active soldiers, almost half a million reservists and an annual budget of more than 23 billion dollars: according to the Swedish security institute Sipri, the Israeli army is one of the twenty strongest armies in the world and has been fighting for decades.
Meanwhile, virtually nothing is known about Hamas. Some sources speak of 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers fighting for Hamas, others speak of 300 to 3,000 members of the “hard core”. The budget is many times smaller than that of the Israelis. In recent days we have seen images of Hamas fighters driving go-kart-like, makeshift paragliders into the grounds of a music festival.
Hamas support from Iran and Saudi Arabia
Although the equipment is anything but high-tech, the hatred of the Hamas fighters was enough to slaughter 260 people at a techno festival and kidnap several people. The ideological conviction comes from different angles.
Iran supplies and supports the terrorist organization. The country has already admitted to supporting attacks on Israel. In addition, countries such as Saudi Arabia also invest a lot of money in the fighters. It also supports the Hezbollah militia from Lebanon in the fight. This support recently allowed them to penetrate Israel, even though the airspace and the entire country are tightly guarded.
Israel: one of the strongest armies ever
The Israeli Air Force has more than 1,200 aircraft, of which 273 are fighters. Many of them can also be used as interceptors. Although little is known about the Hamas army, the Israeli army enjoys a good reputation.
Whether fighting terrorism or urban warfare, Israel’s special forces are among the best in the world. German soldiers travel to Israel specifically to receive training. The entire system is designed for good training and minimal personal losses. Combat experience should also not be underestimated. The military has been in almost continuous use since the 1970s.
The equipment is also impressive: 2,200 battle tanks, 67 ships and more than 56,000 armored vehicles. By comparison, Switzerland has only half as many tanks for twice the land area. Technically, the Israeli army is clearly superior. But whether that is enough to win will become clear in the coming weeks. (jl)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
