Al-Qassam Brigades Release Footage of First Ayyash 250 Missile Launch

GAZA — The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have released footage that for the first time shows the moment of the initial launch of the ‘Ayyash 250’ missile in May 2021. According to Al Jazeera reports, the footage was featured in a video dedicated to the martyr Mahmoud Ibrahim Misbah, a member of the Khan Younis Brigade’s artillery unit under Al-Qassam.

The video is part of a documentary series focused on martyrs from the ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ operations. The released clips show various stages of preparation for the missile and its launcher, including the technical processes and final preparations before the missile was officially launched.

On 13 May 2021, during the fourth day of the ‘Sword of Al-Quds’ battle, Al-Qassam spokesperson Abu Ubaidah announced the launch of the Ayyash 250 missile towards Ramon Airport in the occupied southern region of Palestine. The launch was carried out under the direct orders of the then-highest leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif, during what is referred to as the fourth war.

The missile was aimed at Ramon Airport, located approximately 220 kilometres away. The Ayyash 250 was the most advanced missile in the Al-Qassam arsenal at the time, with a range of up to 250 kilometres. The missile’s name was taken from Yahya Ayyash, a prominent engineer and one of the most significant figures in the history of the Al-Qassam Brigades, who died during an Israeli operation in 1995. The Ayyash 250 is considered a significant leap in the rocket weaponry capabilities of the resistance groups, as it allows them to reach territories previously outside their strike range. The missile is also reported to have been used again during the Al-Aqsa Flood operations in October 2023.