Conflict archive

2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis Weapons and Equipment

May 2021 fighting between Israel and Gaza-based armed groups, including rocket fire, Israeli airstrikes, UAV activity, and a ceasefire after eleven days.

The 2021 Israel-Palestine Crisis was an eleven-day escalation centered on Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Gaza-based armed groups fired rockets and attempted UAV attacks while Israel conducted airstrikes and other military operations before a ceasefire took effect on May 21, 2021.

This archive tracks weapon systems directly documented in the May 2021 Israel-Gaza escalation.

Entries should be limited to source-backed use, interception, launches, strikes, or support activity tied to the May 2021 fighting.

1 weapon systems

Context

Status
Published archive
Location
Gaza Strip, Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank
Countries
Israel, Palestinian territories
Regions
Gaza Strip, Israel, Jerusalem, West Bank
Domains
land, air, missile strikes, UAV, air defense, urban warfare

The archive is narrow and should not be treated as a complete order of battle. Current connected weapon coverage is focused on Hamas Shehab one-way attack UAV activity and Israeli interception claims; additional rockets, air-defense systems, aircraft, and ground weapons should be added only with direct system-specific sourcing.

Map

Gaza Strip, Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank

Open map

Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Timeline

Key Events

  1. Escalation opens

    OCHA reported escalation across Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank as hostilities widened during May 2021.

    Sources: OCHA Escalation Flash Update 3

  2. Ceasefire takes effect

    OCHA reported that a ceasefire entered into force at 2 a.m. on May 21, 2021, after eleven days of hostilities.

    Sources: OCHA Escalation Flash Update 11

Category

Aircraft & UAVs

Crewed aircraft, drones, and loitering munitions.

1/1
Shehab-2, One-way attack unmanned aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsShehab-2One-way attack unmanned aircraftSide: HamasRole: One-way attack UAV launchesBuilt: Hamas / Al-Qassam Brigades / Gaza Strip, Palestinian territoriesThe Shehab-2 is a Hamas one-way attack UAV described as a Gaza-built loitering munition related to the Iranian Ababil family. Shehab drones were publicized and reportedly launched during the May 2021 Gaza escalation, while later Shehab-2 references in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War remain caveated because analysts noted possible launches without confirmed evidence.

Conflict Sources

This conflict record is scoped narrowly to May 2021 weapon-entry needs. It should not be used as a holding bucket for broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict history without direct source-backed system use in the May 2021 escalation.

  • OCHA Escalation Flash Update 3Publisher: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs | Note: Supports the May 2021 escalation context across Gaza, Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. | Accessed: 2026-06-29
  • OCHA Escalation Flash Update 11Publisher: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs | Note: Supports the May 21, 2021 ceasefire timing and the eleven-day conflict framing. | Accessed: 2026-06-29