Israeli Navy strengthens defenses against sea-borne infiltration from Gaza

The Israeli Navy has significantly reinforced its defenses along the Gaza coastline since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, creating what it describes as a multi-layered “Iron Wall” designed to prevent terrorists from infiltrating Israel by sea.

The upgraded defenses include new fast patrol boats, drones equipped with advanced software and sensors, and a centralized system that enables real-time sharing of information from multiple platforms. The Navy has also adopted a zero-tolerance engagement policy toward potential threats approaching the coastline.

The changes are part of a series of reforms launched after the failures of Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists succeeded in reaching Israel’s coastline by sea. Vice Admiral David Salama, who commanded the Navy at the time, later took responsibility for those failures and resigned.

Before leaving his post, however, he implemented a series of reforms aimed at ensuring that the coastal communities of southern Israel would not again be left vulnerable to infiltration from Gaza by the sea.

His successor, Rear Admiral Eyal Harel, has accelerated those reforms, according to the Navy.

The Jerusalem Post recently reported on a visit by one of its reporters to the area, including a ride aboard a Shaldag Mark V patrol boat operating off the Gaza coast near the port city.

The senior officer aboard the vessel pointed to the deserted ruins of the port, saying, "There are no motorized vessels left; look.”

"Look to your left now," the senior officer said. "See those quad bikes speeding south? That’s a new unit created after October 7 to counter beach infiltrations - a backstop in case we fail to stop terrorists at sea or during their transition to land."

On Oct. 7, seven boats carrying Hamas’ Nukba Force terrorists tried to breach the shores south of Ashkelon under cover of a heavy barrage of rockets and mortars.

Israeli Navy forces in the area managed to destroy five of the boats, but two reached the shore. Eighteen heavily armed terrorists then managed to inflict casualties and damage before they were eliminated.

The Navy, working alongside the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence, has since developed additional measures intended to prevent a repeat of the attack.

Those measures also address the threat of divers using SCUBA equipment to infiltrate the coastline.

Another officer on the Shaldag patrol vessel explained that the threat of infiltration by divers equipped with SCUBA gear is also being covered, adding that "Everyone on this boat knows that the moment a diver emerges from the sea onto land, he's heavy and slow to organize. It takes him about 40 seconds to get his bearings."

"In that window, we have to strike him with precision from the sea. We train on this repeatedly to stay sharp. One of the core changes to prevent that scenario is joint-service integration. A Zik drone operator sees what the Shaldag sees, along with ground observation and drones - and vice versa. Everyone sees everything," he explained.

The upgraded defenses are designed to counter a wide range of infiltration methods, which range from advanced underwater drones to more conventional attempts to use fishing boats to approach the coast and launch attacks.

"We expect them to try to challenge us in every way, including surprises," explained a young officer, pointing to a drone taking off from the deck. "We have zero patience for provocations or boundary violations. See this drone? It can broadcast announcements, drop munitions, or strike directly - the team is fully trained for every scenario."