Infantry Weapons

Door-breaching explosive charge

A door-breaching explosive charge is a small explosive entry device used by infantry and combat engineers to defeat locked or barricaded doors, usually with detonation cord or similar charge patterns. In the Israel-Hamas War, Israeli troops were reported using explosive door breaches during house-to-house operations in northern Gaza.

Israel-Hamas WarIsrael

Conflict side: Israel
Built by: Various military and law-enforcement manufacturers
Built in: Multiple

Door-breaching explosive charge, Explosive breaching charge, Infantry Weapons

Profile

Type: Explosive breaching charge
Conflict side: Israel
Origin: Multiple
Service note: Modern urban warfare use

portable urban warfareengineering

Service History

In service: Used for rapid entry in urban breaching and assault-clearing operations.
Used by: Israel Defense Forces
Wars: Israel-Hamas War

Production History

Built by: Various military and law-enforcement manufacturers
Built in: Multiple
Variants: Donut charge, Detonation cord linear charge, Water charge

Specifications

Charge form: Explosive entry charge built from detonation cord or similar military explosive material
Primary effect: Blows open locked doors or door hardware to create an entry point
Common patterns: Donut and linear charge layouts, with water-tamped variants also used
Typical users: Combat engineers and infantry assault teams

Conflict Usage

Israel-Hamas War: Side: IsraelRole: Urban assault breachingstrike
Israel-Hamas War: used by Israeli troops in northern Gaza to blast home doors open during house-to-house operations.

Door-breaching explosive charge Images

Door-breaching explosive charge, Explosive breaching charge, Infantry Weapons - view 1

Door-breaching explosive charge, Explosive breaching charge, Infantry Weapons - view 2

Door-breaching explosive charge, Explosive breaching charge, Infantry Weapons - view 3

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Sources

Marine Corps urban breach coursePublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports background and specifications for urban breaching charges, including the donut charge laid around a doorknob to blow the knob off and open a room entry point. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Marine Corps breaching charges in trainingPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports background and specifications for multiple breaching charge forms used in training, including donut charges and detonation-cord linear charges. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 AP northern Gaza detentionsPublisher: Associated Press | Note: Israel-Hamas War: used by Israeli troops in northern Gaza when AP reported soldiers blasting doors of homes open with a grenade during house-to-house operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Marine Corps door-charge photoPublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Image provenance for the public-domain Marine Corps photo showing an explosive charge set on a door during urban breaching training. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 DoD det-cord door breach photoPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Image provenance for the public-domain DoD photo showing detonation cord igniting to blow a door in during an urban breaching course. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 DoD breaching tactics photoPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Image provenance for the public-domain DoD photo showing Marines behind a detonated explosive charge during urban breaching training. | Accessed: 2026-06-20