On Saturday (October 7, 2023), the Palestinian militant group, Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas), launched a rocket attack on Israeli territory.
"Hamas stated they launched 5,000 rockets in the initial attack. The Israeli military, however, reported 2,500 rockets fired," Al Jazeera reported on Saturday (October 7, 2023).
On Sunday (October 8, 2023), the Israeli government declared war and immediately retaliated.
"The Israeli Air Force struck Gaza with air raids on Sunday night, in an effort to destroy the Hamas terrorist group's capabilities," The Times of Israel reported on Monday (October 9, 2023).
Over the past decade, Israel has received weapons from the United States (US), Germany, Canada, and Italy.
Meanwhile, Palestine has received weapons from Jordan, Russia, and North Korea.
According to data compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), during the period 2010-2022, there were 4 publicly reported contracts for weapons shipments from Jordan to Palestine.
These contracts involved the supply of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Armored Protected Vehicles (APVs).
SIPRI did not disclose the value of the contracts. However, SIPRI stated that the shipment of military vehicles from Jordan was funded by US and EU aid.
Despite having the highest number of contracts compared to other countries, the number of military vehicles shipped from Jordan was small, approximately 26 units.
In terms of the quantity of shipments, Palestine has received more military vehicles from Russia.
SIPRI recorded one contract for a Russian arms shipment to Palestine in 2010. This shipment included 50 second-hand BTR-70 armored personnel carriers.
In 2014, North Korea had one contract for the supply of 25 anti-tank guided missiles specifically for Hamas.
There were also three other contracts between 2010-2011 specifically for Hamas, comprising 35 anti-tank guided missiles and 100 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
However, the origin of these three contracts is unknown. SIPRI's database only notes, "The supplier was likely Iran."