The British newspaper The Telegraph reports that Israel is investigating how high-tech Chinese equipment reached Hamas in the Gaza Strip, amid Tel Aviv's concerns about potential direct "involvement" by Beijing.
According to a report by the newspaper, an Israeli intelligence source indicated that the military has discovered what was described as "vast quantities" of Chinese weapons in Gaza. The pressing question is whether these arms came directly from China to Hamas.
The source mentioned that the discovery came as a major surprise to Israel, especially given that relations with China had been "very good" prior to the war on Gaza.
The Israeli source asserted that China has significantly altered its stance towards Israel, now leaning entirely towards an anti-Semitic position, in their expression.
A recently released video clip by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), showed one of their snipers using a Chinese "M99 Qiangjian" rifle. This anti-materiel rifle, with a caliber of 12.7 millimeters, is capable of piercing armored vehicles and tanks. It has a length of 1.5 meters, weighs 12 kilograms, and its magazine can hold 5 rounds.
This weapon has been observed multiple times over the past years during training exercises and military parades in the Gaza Strip. Yet, the Al-Qassam Brigades have not officially disclosed it or announced its use against Israeli soldiers.
