Profile
- Type
- Improvised short-range air-defense system
- Conflict side
- Hamas
- Origin
- Gaza Strip
- Service note
- 2023-present
Air Defense
Mutabar-1 improvised air-defense system
The Mutabar-1 is Hamas's locally manufactured improvised air-defense system, publicly revealed in October 2023 and associated with attempts to engage low-flying Israeli aircraft and drones during the Israel-Hamas War.
- Conflict side
- Hamas
- Built by
- HamasAl-Qassam Brigades
Service History
- In service
- Publicly unveiled in October 2023 during the opening days of the Israel-Hamas War.
- Used by
- Hamas (Al-Qassam Brigades)
- Wars
- Israel-Hamas War
Production History
- Designer
- Hamas / Al-Qassam Brigades
- Designed
- 2023
- Built by
- HamasAl-Qassam Brigades
- Produced
- 2023
Specifications
- Launcher
- Single launcher
- Traverse
- 360 degrees
- Elevation
- 20 to 70 degrees
- Guidance
- Undisclosed / unknown
- Construction
- Uses cheaper, more widely available components
Conflict Usage
- Israel-Hamas War
- Side: HamasRole: Improvised short-range air defense
Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades used the Mutabar-1 against an Israeli drone over Gaza during the opening days of the Israel-Hamas War, according to CTP-ISW reporting.
Related Weapon Systems
Stunner interceptorMissile interceptorThe Stunner interceptor is the hit-to-kill missile used by David's Sling, Israel's medium-range air-defense layer co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon. During the Israel-Hamas War, the IDF said David's Sling used the system to intercept a surface-to-air missile fired toward an Israeli Air Force UAV operating in Lebanon, underscoring its role in layered air defense against rockets, missiles, and drones.
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAMLand-based close-in weapon systemCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system (C-RAM), also known as the land-based Phalanx Weapon System, is a U.S. fixed-site air-defense suite built around a 20 mm rapid-fire gun, sensors, and fire control to intercept rockets, mortars, and small drones. In the United States-Iran Conflict, U.S. forces used it around Baghdad to defend a diplomatic facility against drone and rocket attacks.
Coyote counter-UAS interceptor / droneCounter-UAS interceptor droneThe Coyote is a combat-proven, rail-launched counter-UAS effector from RTX/Raytheon. In the United States-Iran Conflict, U.S. forces used it to help defend Gulf air bases against short-range drone attacks, while the family continues to evolve into launched-effects variants.
Merops counter-drone interceptorCounter-drone interceptor systemMerops is a U.S.-developed mobile counter-drone interceptor from Perennial Autonomy that launches small autonomous drones from a truck-mounted system. Combat-tested in Ukraine and rapidly fielded to the Middle East as the United States-Iran Conflict escalated, it gave U.S. forces a lower-cost way to counter Iranian drones.
Mesbah 123 mm anti-aircraft gun systemMesbah 1 is an Iranian short-range anti-aircraft gun system built around 23 mm autocannons, radar, and optical guidance for low-altitude threats. Open reporting describes it as part of Iran's gun-based air-defense layer against cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones, with production starting in 2010.
David's Sling air-defense systemAir and missile defense systemDavid's Sling is Israel's medium- to long-range air and missile defense layer, jointly developed by Rafael and Raytheon. It has been operational since 2017 and was used in the Israel-Hamas War to intercept a Gaza-launched rocket.Sources
Army Recognition Hamas drone and missile facility reportPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports the Mutabar-1's locally manufactured background, launcher layout, traverse/elevation details, and undisclosed guidance context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Focus Mutabar-1 reportPublisher: Focus | Note: Image provenance for the Mutabar-1 screenshot used on the entry; the page reproduces Hamas video frames from the Israel-Hamas War. | Accessed: 2026-06-20ISW Iran Update, October 13, 2023Publisher: Institute for the Study of War | Note: Supports Israel-Hamas War direct use: CTP-ISW recorded a Mutabar-1 air-defense missile used by Hamas against an Israeli drone over Gaza. | Accessed: 2026-06-20