The Qassam Brigades employ a Kornet missile to obliterate an Israeli Panther armored personnel carrier, valued at $3 million, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflicts.
The Panther, Israel’s Formidable APC Taken Down by Qassam’s Kornet
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) suffered a significant setback as the elite Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), annihilated a fully-armored Panther armored personnel carrier (APC) with a Kornet missile. This Israeli Panther, touted as one of the safest APCs globally, comes with a hefty price tag of around three million US dollars, a testament to its advanced features and capabilities intended for the safe transport of infantry to the heart of the battlefield.
In a striking turn of events at the end of October 2023, during Israeli ground incursion attempts into Gaza, the Qassam Brigades launched the sophisticated anti-tank guided missile, resulting in the Panther’s destruction. The incident not only disabled the high-value military asset but also claimed the lives of 11 IDF soldiers.
The Israeli incursions followed the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation initiated by the Qassam Brigades on October 7, 2023, a bold offensive that penetrated Gaza’s border settlements. The operation saw Hamas fighters seizing control over Israeli military bases and positions for several hours, inflicting numerous casualties, with claims of hundreds of IDF soldiers killed and approximately 250 Israelis captured.
Origins of the Panther APC
The inception of the Panther armored troop carrier traces back to one of the IDF’s darkest days, as described by the Israeli press. On May 12, 2004, while the IDF was engaged in retrieving the remains of six soldiers fallen after a Palestinian resistance attack on an M113 APC, Hamas militants managed to hit another M113 APC loaded with explosives. The attack resulted in the deaths of all five IDF soldiers aboard and spurred a poignant image of IDF personnel crawling near the flaming wreckage, searching for their comrades’ remains. This harrowing event sparked widespread debate about the Israeli presence in Gaza and reignited discussions on the disengagement plan from the sector.
Consequently, the IDF acknowledged the pressing need for a replacement of the M113 APCs. Despite attempts to upgrade the M113s, they proved insufficient in providing enhanced protection for the soldiers, leading to the development of the Panther, a decision motivated by the desire for greater security and survivability in combat zones.
With the Qassam Brigades’ recent successful strike against the Panther, questions arise once again about the efficacy of Israel’s defensive strategies and the implications for future military engagements in the region.
