Profile
- Type
- One-way attack unmanned aircraft
- Conflict side
- Hamas
- Origin
- Gaza Strip
- Service note
- Early 2020s-present
Aircraft & UAVs
Shehab-2
The Shehab-2 is a Hamas one-way attack UAV described as a Gaza-built loitering munition related to the Iranian Ababil family. It was publicly unveiled in 2021 and remains discussed in the context of the Israel-Hamas War, although confirmed wartime use on 7 October 2023 has not been established.
- Conflict side
- Hamas
- Built by
- Hamasal-Qassam Brigades
Service History
- In service
- Publicly unveiled in 2021; later discussed as part of Hamas's drone arsenal during the 2023 war
- Used by
- Hamas
- Wars
- Israel-Hamas War
Production History
- Designer
- Hamas drone program
- Designed
- Early 2020s
- Built by
- Hamasal-Qassam Brigades
- Produced
- 2021-present
- Variants
- Shehab, Shehab-2
Specifications
- Configuration
- Fixed-wing loitering munition / one-way attack UAV
- Payload
- Reportedly carried roughly 5 kg of explosives in 2021 reporting
- Launch method
- Reportedly truck- or rail-launched
- Lineage
- Described by analysts as similar to the Iranian Ababil family
- Operational mode
- Can hover near a target and detonate near it or on impact
Conflict Usage
- Israel-Hamas War
- Side: HamasRole: Possible one-way attack UAV launch
Analysts said it is possible Shehab-2 loitering munitions were launched in the Israel-Hamas War on 7 October 2023, but confirmatory evidence has not emerged.
Shehab-2 Images
Related Weapon Systems
Unidentified Israeli turbojet-powered one-way-attack munitionOne-way-attack munitionARES tracks this as temporary model ARES-TMID-0011: an unidentified Israeli-origin turbojet-powered one-way-attack munition assessed as a guided UAV or loitering missile. OSMP documentation places it in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War and also links the same munition family to later strikes in Lebanon and Iran.
Aeronautics Orbiter 1KClass 1 loitering munition UASThe Aeronautics Orbiter 1K is an Israeli electric loitering munition derived from the Orbiter mini-UAS family, combining EO/IR surveillance with a fragmentation warhead for attacks on soft targets. Azerbaijan fielded Orbiter 1K systems alongside other Israeli and Turkish unmanned weapons during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
Shahed-136One-way attack droneThe Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed one-way attack drone associated with mass long-range strikes, appearing as the Russian Geran family in Ukraine and as an Iranian attack-drone threat in the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Ukrainian Explosive Naval DronesExplosive unmanned surface vesselUkrainian explosive naval drones are low-profile unmanned surface vessels developed during the Russia-Ukraine War to extend Ukrainian strike reach in the Black Sea. The family includes MAGURA V5 drones associated with Defence Intelligence of Ukraine operations and Sea Baby drones associated with the Security Service of Ukraine, pairing remote or semi-autonomous control with large explosive payloads for attacks on Russian naval targets.
WarmateLoitering munitionWarmate is a Polish electric loitering munition from WB Electronics/WB Group, designed as a portable reconnaissance-strike system with interchangeable warheads, autonomous flight modes, and video-guided terminal attack. In the Russia-Ukraine War it has been documented in Ukrainian service for precision attacks on Russian air-defense and surveillance radars.
ZALA LancetLoitering munitionThe ZALA Lancet is a Russian electric loitering munition with a distinctive dual X-wing layout, launched from a catapult and guided by an onboard television channel for terminal attack. In the Russia-Ukraine War it became one of Russia's prominent tactical strike UAVs, used against Ukrainian artillery, air-defense systems, armor, vehicles, and other battlefield targets.Sources
The Dangerous Mystery of Hamas' Missing 'Suicide Drones'Publisher: WIRED | Note: Supports Hamas drone-program background, the Shehab's public unveiling in 2021, and reporting that Hamas's suicide drones had limited battlefield effectiveness. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Palestinian Drones May Be Developed From Old Iranian ModelPublisher: Iran International | Note: Supports background on Shehab as a Hamas suicide drone described as a version of an older Iranian Ababil model, including reporting that it could be truck- or rail-launched. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Hamas releases video of 'Shehab' kamikaze dronePublisher: The Times of Israel | Note: Supports reported May 2021 Hamas use of Shehab drones, including the roughly 5 kg explosive payload described by the IDF. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Drones and the Hamas-led Attack of 7 October 2023Publisher: Perspectives on Terrorism / ICCT | Note: Supports the Israel-Hamas War note that analysts said it is possible Shehab-2 loitering munitions were launched on 7 October 2023, but confirmatory evidence has not emerged. | Accessed: 2026-06-20File:Ababil-2.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Creative Commons provenance for a related Ababil-family UAV image used as a visual lineage reference. | Accessed: 2026-06-20File:Ababil-2 silhouette.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Creative Commons provenance for a related Ababil-family silhouette image used as a visual lineage reference. | Accessed: 2026-06-20File:Hezbollah Ababil UAV.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Creative Commons provenance for a related Ababil-family combat UAV image used as a visual lineage reference. | Accessed: 2026-06-20