[Missiles & Mortars: Introduction]

The IDF maintains a presence in most of the West Bank. Consequently, the production and deployment of missiles in the area has thus far been curtailed.

As such, it is important to recognize the strategic risks posed by an IDF re-deployment in the context of a unilateral withdrawal or final status accord. As Dore Gold notes, "the militarization of Palestinian-controlled areas [in the West Bank] could pose a strategic threat to Israel, and not just the kind of small-scale tactical problem that Israel has confronted throughout its history."

The development of a Qassam missile with an extended range, coupled with a security vacuum in the West Bank, could conceivably pose such a threat. According to former IAF Commander, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eitan Ben-Eliyahu, "In Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]...if you make a 20-kilometer circle around a Qassam, you see that Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Netanya, Petah Tikva and Jerusalem, as well as Ben-Gurion Airport, are all in range."

The effect of Qassam missile strikes against major Israeli cities would be devastating. According to former head of Military Intelligence and commander of the War College, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ya'acov Amidror, "The Palestinians don't even need to fire off that many [Qassams'] to completely change the fabric of life in the country. It will be enough for them to fire one rocket every two weeks into Ra'anana or Kfar Saba and one rocket every few weeks into Jerusalem to make life unbearable for all Israelis." 1

[Indigenously Produced Missiles and Rockets]


Al-Bana & Al-Yassin Anti-Tank Missile

The Al-Banaa anti-tank missile (left) has a limited range of 500 meters. Hamas also manufactures the Al-Yassin anti-tank missile (right) with a launcher based on the Russian PG-2. 2

Al-Batar

The al-Batar anti-tank missile is equipped with a powerful 3.5 kilogram warhead and has a range of 3,000 meters (1.86 miles). 3

Al-Samoud

The 120mm (caliber) al-Samoud rocket has a range of 8 kilometers (4.97 miles). 4

Anti-Aircraft Missile

In November 2004, Hamas revealed it was developing the first Palestinian anti-aircraft missile. According to Hamas operative Nizar Rayan, the missile would be used to down Israeli helicopters, UAV’s, and other aircraft operating above the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources note the anti-aircraft missile project is based on expertise and training provided by Iran and Hizballah. Indeed, Hamas has sought to produce a variant of the Soviet-origin SA-7 - deployed by Hizbullah in southern Lebanon. 5

Hawkeye

The Hawkeye rocket, developed by the Jenin Martyr's Brigade, is capable of achieving a 55-kilometer (34 mile) range, and can carry up to five kilograms of explosives. 6

Kafah (Struggle)

The Fatah terrorist organization claims to have produced and fired the Kafah rocket at the Jewish community of Netzarim in the Gaza Strip during October of 2004. In October 2005, the (Fatah) Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades announced the development of a new rocket named the Aksa-3, with a range of 17 kilometers (10.5 miles). In January 2006, media reports indicated that Fatah operatives in the West Bank had developed the Jenin 1. 7

Nasser- 3

The 30 kilogram Nasser-3, an advanced version of the Qassam-class short-range missile, is manufactured by the the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and can achieve a range of 6-9 kilometers (3.7-5.5 miles).

Its five kilogram standard explosive warhead is equipped with a standard fuse and contains explosives, nuts, bolts, and metal shards.

According to an IDF source, "The new warhead is much more powerful than that of the improvised Qassam 2...[guaranteeing] detonation on impact, overcoming the Qassam 2's main flaw."

The Nasser-3 is fueled by 20 kilograms of solid propellant manufactured from potassium nitrate fertilizer and powdered sugar. The missile is launched from rails mounted on a bipod. Four fins are welded to the casing to stabilize its flight.

On June 28, 2004, a Nasser-3 rocket fired from the Gaza Strip killed two Israeli civilians in Sderot. 8

Qassam

The Qassam-class (or Kassam) short-range missile was developed by the Hamas terrorist organization with the aid of Iran, Hizballah, and the Palestinian Authority. The Qassam is fueled by a mixture of potassium nitrate and sugar (solid propellant). Qassam missiles are manufactured and deployed primarily in the Gaza Strip; however, the IDF has seized Qassam missiles in Palestinian areas of the West Bank. 9



Qassam Archive Photo


The Qassam-1, first launched against an Israeli target in October 2001, is capable of an approximate range of 4.5 kilometers (2.796 miles). The Qaasam-2, which incorporates components smuggled from Egypt, is approximately 2.2 meters (7.22 feet) in length, has a range of up to 9.5 kilometers (5.9 miles), and can carry a payload of 5-9 kilograms of explosives. The more advanced Qassam-3 is capable of achieving a range of approximately 10-12 kilometers, and carries a payload of 10-20 kilograms of explosives. The Qassam-4 is expected to have a range of 17 kilometers. 10




IDF Spokesperson's Office


The Qassam-2 is capable of striking Israeli population centers and strategic assets in close proximity to the Gaza Strip. On August 28, 2003, Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip fired a Qassam-2 at the southern Israeli port city of Ashkelon. The missile landed near the Carlsberg brewery, narrowly missing an electricity station. 11



Qassam Archive Photo


In September 2005, Hamas developed a Qassam missile with a 16.5 kilometer (10 mile) range that placed Ashkelon's power station and Netivot within striking distance of the Gaza Strip.

In December 2005, an enhanced, long-range Qassam missile with a large diameter was deployed. On December 15 2005, the new missile apparently impacted in the city's southern industrial zone, (again) near the Carlsberg beer factory. The missile caused a loud explosion heard across the industrial zone - located only 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away from the city's residential area. Police officials noted that the missile was relatively large compared to others that had been launched, with a radius of approximately 115 millimeters (about 4.5 inches).

In January 2006, media reports indicated that Qassam missiles were capable of achieving a range of 10-40 kilometers (6-25 miles). In February and March, Islamic Jihad terrorists deployed a missile based on the Qassam that succeeded in striking strategic sites in Ashkelon, including an oil terminal, power station, water desalination facility and port.

In June 2006, Hamas fired an extended-range Qassam missile equipped with two engines. The missile was 155 mm in diameter and impacted in a cemetery within a residential area of Ashkelon approximately 12 kilometers from the Gaza Strip.

The extended-range Qassam contained an increased explosives payload and standard fuses. An IDF source noted the new Qassams were "much better than even two months ago....The warhead explodes and the blast reaches a wider area. The range is also longer."



Aftermath of a Qasssam Attack



In July 2006, Hamas fired a dual-engine Qassam that impacted against the ORT Ronson High School building in central Ashkelon. Hamas claimed the missile was an upgraded Qassam capable of a 15 kilometer range. The Qassam was apparently launched from the northern-most point of the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun (between the former Israeli comunities of Nisanit/Dugit) and traversed the longest distance of a projectile ever launched from the Gaza Strip.


Central Asheklon: Qassam Impact

In January 2007, Hamas decided to terminate further development of the Qassam. Israeli officials noted that the range of the Qassam could not be extended beyond 16 kilometers or enhanced with a larger warhead.

As such, a number of Palestinian terrorists have traveled abroad to learn how to manufacture and effectively launch short-range Katyusha rockets. The new rockets, with an estimated range of over 35 kilometers, could reach the southern cities of Kiryat Gat, Netivot and Ofakim.

A senior IDF officer noted: "The Qassam cannot be further upgraded, and the Palestinians need a new weapon...The cells have traveled abroad to learn about the Katyusha rocket and how to manufacture it back in the Gaza Strip."

The IDF has ceased formulating protective and defense policies based on threats posed by the Qassam. Currently, the Homefront Command focuses on conducting Katyusha rocket attack simulations and designing protective measures against the rockets. 12

 Quds (Grad/Katyusha)

The Quds-2 can achieve a range of up to 12 kilometers (7.45 miles).

In February 2006, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) claimed it had developed a lethal long-range rocket capable of striking central Ashkelon. According to PIJ sources, the rocket has a range of 13-16 kilometers (approximately 8-10 miles) and a payload that includes TNT. Spokesman Abu Hamza noted that PIJ was finally able to produce the new Quds rocket -- an improved version of the Quds 101 rocket. According to Hamza, the new Quds rocket is 2.3 meters long (approximately 7 feet) and has been successfully tested.


Remnants of a Quds Rocket

In April 2006, media reports indicated that Palestinian terrorists were manufacturing the Quds-3 along with a multiple-rocket launcher system. The Quds-3, developed in the Gaza Strip with the aid of PA funding and Iranian operatives, is based on the Russian Grad and BM21 Katyusha. The Quds-3 was test-fired against Ashkelon on March 28 and weighs 66 kilos. The rocket carries an explosive payload of 17 kilograms.

The 122mm launcher fires 10 rockets simultaneously to a distance of 18-30 kilometers. The system, capable of firing 40 rockets within 20 seconds, weighs 13 tons and enables Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to strike Ashkelon, Ashdod, Netivot and Ofakim. The rockets are launched by a crew that pulls back approximately 60 meters from the launcher and releases the rockets by pulling a wire.


Quds 3 Rockets

In May 2006, Islamic Jihad operatives fired a Grad-class Katyusha rocket at the western Negev community of Netiv Ha'asara. According to Middle East Newsline, Islamic Jihad has test-fired at least three indigenous versions of the Russian-origin BM-21 Grad rocket (from the northern Gaza Strip) for range and accuracy. "We believe Islamic Jihad, probably with [help from] Hamas, has been developing and producing prototypes of the Grad...We know they have the expertise and the equipment to produce the rocket."

In July 2006, Hamas deployed an indigenous variant of the Soviet-origin Katyusha rocket (BM-21 Grad) with a range of 24 kilometers. The new 122mm Grad was fired (on July 18) at Kibbutz Sdot Bror Hayil - approximately 19 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. The rocket traveled 24 kilometers, exceeding the 20 kilometer range of a standard 122mm Katyusha.

In November 2006, Abu Hamza announced that the indigenously developed Quds-4 would soon be operational. The Quds-4 is based on the Russian-made Katyusha and was expected to have a range of 18-20 kilometers. In January 2007, Ha'aretz reported that PIJ was attempting to mass-manufacture a twin-engine rocket with a 15-16 kilometer range. In February, Maan News Agency revealed that the PIJ had successfully manufactured a 220mm Quds-4 rocket -- capable of achieving a 22 kilometer range. 13

Saria-2

The Saria-2 rocket was developed by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization and declared operational on April 15, 2004. The Saria-2, designed to be fired in sets of 12, can achieve a range of 3 kilometers (1.8 miles), and scatters shrapnel over a radius of 13 meters.

In November 2004, Islamic Jihad officials announced an improved rocket with an 18 kilometer (11 mile) range. 14

Yasser Arafat

In December 2004, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade announced the development of the Yasser Arafat missile. By February 2006, both the 8-kilometer Arafat 1 and the more advanced Arafat 2 rockets had been fired at Israeli targets. 15

[Imported Missiles and Rockets]

RPG's & Anti-Tank Missiles

In January 2002, the IDF intercepted the Palestinian Karine A vessel 482 kilometers (300 miles) south of Israel, in the Red Sea. The Karine A was loaded with approximately 50 tons of weapons, including:

  • 122 mm rocket launchers (Range: 20 km, 18.3 kg warhead)
  • 107mm launchers and rockets (Range: 8.5 km, 6.4 kg warhead)
  • Sagger - wire guided anti-tank missile - launchers and missiles (Range: 3.5km)
  • RPG7 rockets and launchers (Range: 400 m)
  • RPG anti-tank launchers (Range: 200 m)

In May 2004, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting that numerous RPG launchers manufactured by the Egyptian military industries have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip. It should be noted that RPG rockets and launchers have previously been imported to the Gaza Strip via smuggling tunnels in the Rafah area.

In October 2006, IDF sources revealed the Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missiles may have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip by terror cells associated with Hizballah. The Kornet was used by Hizbullah during the 2006 Lebanon war with fatal results. The missiles, which reached Lebanon after they were sold by Russia to Syria and Iran, are capable of penetrating a meter-and-a-half of reinforced armor. The missile's warhead drills a hole in the armor and after penetrating, releases a liquid-base explosives that detonates in the tank's interior. 16

Imported Missiles & Rockets (General)

  • May 2004 - The IDF Southern Gaza Brigade commander told Israel Radio that a signficant amount of armaments, including anti-aircraft missiles and Katyusha rockets stored in the Sinai Desert were slated to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF Chief of Staff, the 12 kilometer range Katyusha rockets could upset the military balance in the coastal area.

  • October 2004 - A senior Israeli military official revealed that the security establishment operates under the premise that anti-aircraft missiles are present in the Gaza Strip. As such, the Air Force has taken appropriate measures.

  • December 2004 - Prime Minster Ariel Sharon informed the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee that Gaza terrorist groups were now in possession of shoulder-mounted missiles. The Prime Minister detailed his mounting concerns that Palestinian terrorists may attempt to shoot down Israeli crop dusters flying over agricultural zones near the Gaza Strip.

  • January 2005 - The Shin Bet head told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that at least five Strella anti-aircraft rockets were present in the Gaza Strip.

  • March 2005 - DM Mofaz noted that members of the Palestinian Authority's military intelligence service were involved in the smuggling of shoulder-launched Strela anti-aircraft missiles into Egypt from the Gaza Strip via tunnels in the Rafah area.

  • April 2005 - The Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv reported that Bedouin from Egypt and Israel's Negev had succeeded in smuggling anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles to West Bank terrorists.

  • September 2005 - DebkaFile reported that Hamas and Islamic Jihad, aided by Egyptian troops, smuggled ground-air missiles across the Gaza-Egyptian border following the IDF's disengagement from the area.

  • December 2005 - The Al-Aqsa Brigade terror group claimed they were in possession of Russian-made (surface-to-surface) Grad missiles, which have a range of approximately 25-30 kilometers.

  • January 2006 - A Shin Bet (Internal Security) annual report stated that a signifcant amount of ammunition has been smuggled into the Gaza Strip since the disengagement, including a number of anti-aircraft missiles.

  • February 2006 - DebkaFile reported that the Aqsa 2 or Aqsa 207 (a new 207mm Katyusha rocket) arrived in Gaza via the northern Sinai. The new rocket has a range of 16-18 kilometers - placing Ashkelon and its port, power and oil pipeline installations, as well as the southern Israeli towns of Ofakim and Netivot in range.

  • March 2006 - The IDF confirmed that Palestinian terrorists fired a 122 mm Katyusha rocket from the Gaza Strip into Israel. According to Israel Channel 10 Television, the rocket had a range of 12 kilometers (seven miles), and was fired by Islamic Jihad.


    • Katyusha Launched Against Israeli Target

  • July 2006 - A senior Israeli security source warned that Ashdod, Kiryat Gat, and Ofakim would soon be within rocket range of the Gaza Strip. According to IDF Military Intelligence (AMAN), Palestinian terrorists have attempted to import the Russian rockets via smuggling tunnels along the Egyptian border.

  • October 2006 - IDF Brig.-Gen. Yossi Baidatz, head of the IDF intelligence research department, confirmed that Hamas was smuggling advanced anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles into the Gaza Strip. Baidatz assessed that Hamas plans to use the anti-aircraft missiles against Israeli fighter planes in the context of future conflicts, and predicted Hamas would use the missiles to target civilian aircraft as well.

  • February 2007 - Israeli security officials warned that Hamas may have smuggled a number of Sagger, Konkur and Kornet anti-tank missiles from the Sinai into the Gaza Strip.

  • June 2007 - IDF Intelligence (AMAN) assessed that Hamas has stockpiled at least 50 rockets with a range of 22 kilometers -- capable of striking Ashkelon from the center of Gaza. Hamas also possesses 20 Strella anti-aircraft missiles that could hit any aircraft flying over the Strip. 17

[Mortars]

The first mortars deployed by Palestinian terrorist groups during the current conflict were fired at the Israeli community of Netzarim (Gaza Strip) in January 2001. Since then, thousands of mortars have been launched against Israeli military and civilian targets in the Gaza region, resulting in injuries and even fatalities. In addition, mortars have been seized in Palestinian areas of the West Bank. Palestinian terrorist elements have also fired mortars toward the Jerusalem suburb of Gilo.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Abu Jemal, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization explained that, "The advantage of the mortar is that the enemy can never protect himself from it. This is not an exceptionally accurate weapon, but that is not important to us. Even if the mortar does not hit the target, we want to cause confusion and panic."



Various Palestinian terror groups manufacture mortars in workshops and factories throughout the Gaza Strip. According to the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, the Palestinian Sariya-1 is a 240 mm mortar with a 15 kilometer range.

During Operation Guardian Fortress in 2002, the IDF discovered a network of weapons manufacturing facilities in which hundreds of mortars were produced. The network was operated by the Palestinian Preventative Security (PPS), an official department of the Palestinian Authority. According to Israel Radio, Rashid Abu Shabbab, deputy to Mohammed Dahlan (of the PA Preventive Security in Gaza), actively distributed mortars to Palestinian terrorist organizations.

In October 2004, Nizar Rayyan, a Hamas leader from Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp, stated that Hamas operatives manufactured their own mortars and launchers.

In October 2005, a senior Fatah operative was arrested in the West Bank after Israeli police discovered a mortar launcher in his vehicle. The IDF later determined that Fatah had acquired and produced mortars in the West Bank. Israeli military sources note their troops have seized components of mortar systems transported by Fatah operatives that were probably stored in the Nablus and Ramallah areas.

According to a security source, "We believe that both Fatah as well as units of the Palestinian Authority forces have received mortars...We also have evidence that the mortars are being manufactured in the West Bank."

Palestinian terrorist elements have also smuggled mortars into the Gaza Strip. In December 2004, Israeli military officials revealed Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip were using improved mortars in attacks against military and civilian targets. The new mortars contain more effective explosive material and are of a larger diameter. According to officials, the mortars are supplied by Hizballah and smuggled into Gaza via tunnels in the Rafah area. 18

[References]

  1. Dore Gold, "Defensible Borders for Israel," JCPA, Jerusalem Letters/Viewpoints No. 500, June/July 2003; Arieh O'Sullivan, "Improved Post-Hudna Kassam Reaches Ashkelon Environs; No Injuries," The Jerusalem Post, August 24, 2003; "Hamas Expected to Bring Kassam to West Bank," MENL, August 5, 2003. "IDF Efforts Underway to Stop Qassam Building in Samaria," CJNW News, August 10, 2003; "IDF Source: PA Rockets Threaten Areas 20 Kms. Outside Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, April 4, 2006.


  2. "2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003; "Anti-Israeli Terrorism, 2006: Data, Analysis and Trends," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, March 2007.


  3. Heavy Rocket Damage To Home In Jewish Gaza Israel National News, February 27, 2004; "2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003; "PA Al-Batar Rocket Used in Morag Attack," Israel National News, August 11, 2003.


  4. "2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003.


  5. "Hamas Developing Surface-To-Air Missiles," GeoStrategyDirect.com, November 28, 2004, as cited on IMRA.


  6. The Jenin Martyrs Brigade, based in the Gaza Strip, is a Palestinian terror organization affiliated with the Fatah Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades. Hagai Huberman, "Terror Organization in Gaza Strip: We Have Developed Rocket With 55-KM Range," Hatzofe, April 21, 2004, as cited on IMRA, "Arafat's Fatah Says Has Developed 55 Kilometer Range Rocket," IMRA, April 21, 2004.; "Palestinians' Rockets Increase Range, Deadliness," Associated Press, June 29, 2004.


  7. "Fatah: We Developed a New Rocket," IsraelNationalNews, October 11, 2004; "Aksa Brigades Far From Ready to Disarm," Jerusalem Post, October 29, 2005; "DEBKAfile Exclusive: The Palestinian Armory has a New Weapon: Jenin-1 on the West Bank Joins the Qassam Missile of Gaza," DebkaFile, January 2, 2006.


  8. The IDF believes that the majority of the Nasser 3's components are manufactured in the Gaza Strip. "Report: Palestinians fire new type of rocket at Sderot," Ha'aretz, June 18, 2004; "Upgraded Qassam missile hits Sderot," Ha'aretz, June 20, 2004; "A Look at a Nasser-3 Kassam Rocket," IsraelNationalNews, June 29, 2004; "Palestinians' Rockets Increase Range, Deadliness," Associated Press, June 29, 2004; Peter Enav, "Palestinian, Israeli Fighting Continues After Violent Weekend," Associated Press, June 28, 2004; Alon Ben-David, "Improved Qassam 2 Rocket Fielded In Gaza," Jane's Defense Weekly, July 7, 2004, as published on IMRA, July 9, 2004; "Missile Defense Briefing Report," American Foreign Policy Council, no. 149, July 12, 2004.

  9. "Top IDF Officer: Hamas Building 1,000 Kassams," Jerusalem Post, July 22, 2003; "Qassam Quandary," AIPAC Near East Report, February 25, 2002; "Palestinian Qassam Rockets Pose New Threat to Israel," AIPAC Near East Report, February 25, 2002; Missile Defense Briefing Report, No. 71, American Foreign Policy Council, September 19, 2002; "Hamas Expected to Bring Kassam to West Bank," MENL, August 5, 2003; "Palestinian Weapons Production," IDF Spokesperson's Office, February 18, 2003; Amos Harel, "IDF Thwarts Delivery of Kassam Rockets from Nablus to Jenin," Ha'aretz, February 6, 2002; Dr. Azriel Lorber, "The Growing Threat of the Kassam Unguided Rockets," Middle East Monitor, September 3, 2003.


  10. "Qassam Quandary," AIPAC Near East Report, February 25, 2002; "Hamas said to Expand Warhead on Kassam-1," MENL, January 23, 2002; Joel Leyden and Arieh O'Sullivan, "Israel: Missile Attack on Ashkelon Crossed 'Red Line,'" Jerusalem Post, August 28, 2003; Conal Urquhart, "Israel Kills Four in Missile Attack," The Guardian, August 25, 2003; "2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003; "Rafah: A Weapons Factory and Gateway," IDF Spokesperson's Unit, May 2004; Amos Harel, "IDF: Palestinians Recently Fired Kassam 3 Rockets for First Time," Ha'aretz, September 13, 2002; Aaron Lerner, "Palestinians Testing Qassam 4 - 17 KM Range Rockets," IMRA, November 24, 2003; "The Production and Launching of Kassam Rockets from the Gaza Strip," IDF Spokesperson's Office, July 12, 2004; "Palestinian Qassam Rockets Pose New Threat to Israel," AIPAC Near East Report, February 25, 2002.


  11. Joel Leyden and Arieh O'Sullivan, "Israel: Missile Attack on Ashkelon Crossed 'Red Line,'" Jerusalem Post, August 28, 2003.


  12. Alex Fishman, "Hamas Develops Improved Rocket," YnetNews, September 5, 2005; "Palestinians Fire Enhanced Kassam," Middle East Newsline, December 6, 2005; "Qassam Hits Within Strategic Industrial Ashkelon Area," YnetNews, December 15, 2005; Ilan Marciano, "Shin Bet Chief Details Post Retreat Security Fiasco to Knesset," YnetNews, January 10, 2006; "Palestinians Strike Israeli Strategic Sites," Middle East Newsline, March 5, 2006; "Hamas has Significantly Improved its Kassam-Class, Short-Range Missile," Middle East Newsline, July 2, 2006; "Amos Harel, Yuval Azoulay, Avi Issacharoff, Aluf Benn and Mijal Grinberg, "Qassam Rocket Hits School in Center of Ashkelon," Ha'aretz, July 4, 2006; "Kassam Rocket Lands Inside Ashkelon for First Time," Jerusalem Post, July 4, 2006; Yaakov Katz, "Palestinian Terror Cells Seek to Acquire Katyusha Technology," Jerusalem Post, January 8, 2007; "Kassam Reaches End of Development," Middle East Newsline, January 16, 2007.


  13. "2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003; Ali Waked, "Jihad: Our New Rocket More Lethal," YnetNews, February 11, 2006; "DEBKAfile Exclusive: Palestinians Are Manufacturing New Multiple-Rocket Launchers With Palestinian Authority Funding," DebkaFile, March 31, 2006; Ali Waked, "Al-Aqsa: Rockets on Tel Aviv in 48 Hours," YnetNews, April 23, 2006; Itzik Saban, "Improved Qassams, 'Flying Suicide Bombers'," YnetNews, July 10, 2006; "Jihad Prepares Rockets for Mass Production," Middle East Newsline, May 17, 2006; ""Hamas Develops 24 KM Range Katyusha," MENL, July 23, 2006; Nir Hasson, "Female Suicide Bomber Lightly Wounds Two Soldiers in Northern Gaza," Ha'aretz, November 23, 2006; "Islamic Jihad Developing Quds-4 Rocket," IsraelNationalNews, December 23, 2006; Amos Harel, "IDF: New Qassams Could Reach North of Ashkelon," Ha'aretz, January 10, 2007; "Islamic Jihad: New Rocket Has 22 KM Range," IsraelNationalNews, February 11, 2007.


  14. Gal Berger, "[Islamic] Jihad Developed New Rocket - With 12 Launching Cannons," NFC, April 15, 2004; "Islamic Jihad Boasts New Rocket," IsraelNationalNews, November 3, 2004.


  15. Uri Dan, "Menacing Missile is an Arafat," New York Post, December 28, 2004; "DEBKAfile’s Military Sources: Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah Terrorist Arm, Al Aqsa Brigades Has Got Hold of New 207mm Katyusha Rockets," DebkaFile, February 14, 2006.


  16. "IDF Seizes PA Weapons Ship," Jewish Virtual Libray, January 4, 2002, citing IDF Spokesperson's Office Website; Gideon Alon, "Mofaz: Many RPG Launchers Made in Egypt Smuggled into Strip," Ha'aretz," May 31, 2004; Herb Keinon and Yaakov Katz, "IDF: Military Picture in Gaza Changing," Jerusalem Post, October 15, 2006


  17. "Anti-aircraft Missiles & Katyusha Rockets Held in Sinai for Palestinians - IDF Southern Gaza Brigade Commander Suarez," Ha'aretz, June 9, 2004; Gideon Alon, "Mofaz: Many RPG Launchers Made in Egypt Smuggled into Strip," Ha'aretz," May 31, 2004; Arnon Regular & AP, "Israel pledges to escalate military activities in Gaza Strip," Ha'aretz, May 16, 2004; Margot Dudkevitch, "Ya'alon: Rafah has Become a Gateway for Terrorism," Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2004; Margot Dudkevitch, Matthew Gutman and Nina Gilbert, "IDF: Palestinians Trying to Smuggle Anti-Aircraft Missiles," Jerusalem Post, May 16, 2004; "Rafah: A Weapons Factory and Gateway," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 2004; Amos Harel, "Gaza Terror Groups Thought to have Anti-Aircraft Missiles," Ha'aretz, October 25, 2004; Gideon Alon and Aluf Benn, "Sharon: Gaza Terrorists Have Shoulder-Held Missile Launchers," Ha'aretz, December 28, 2004; "Dichter: W. Bank Will Turn Into Gaza After Pullout," Jerusalem Post, January 4, 2005; Nina Gilbert, "Dichter Warns of Pullout Ramifications," Jerusalem Post, January 4, 2005; Gideon Alon, "Israel Suspects PA Officials of Smuggling Missiles," Ha'aretz, March 28, 2005; Amir Buhbut, "West Bank Terrorists Have Anti-Aircraft Missiles, Anti-Tank Rockets," as translated by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Daily Alert, Ma'ariv; "Egyptians and Palestinians Make a Mockery of Their Accords with Israel," DebkaFile, September 14, 2005; "DEBKAfile: The Palestinians Poured their Entire Sinai Arms Dumps into Gaza, Taking Advantage of Four Days of Unrestricted Border Transit," DebkaFile, September 15, 2005; "Shin Bet Reports of Increased Smuggling into Gaza," Jerusalem Post, January 2, 2006; Amos Harel, "For First time, Palestinians Fire Katyusha Rocket From Gaza," Ha'aretz, March 28, 2006; Shmulik Hadad, "Katyusha Kills 30 Chickens," YnetNews, May 16, 2006; "Jihad Prepares Rockets for Mass Production," Middle East Newsline, May 17, 2006; Itzik Saban, "Improved Qassams, 'Flying Suicide Bombers'," YnetNews, July 10, 2006; "IDF Intelligence: Hamas has Anti-Aircraft Missiles," Jerusalem Post, October 15, 2006; Herb Keinon and Yaakov Katz, "IDF: Military Picture in Gaza Changing," Jerusalem Post, October 15, 2006; Ezra HaLevi, "Hamas Obtains Anti-Aircraft Weapons in Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, October 15, 2006; Amos Harel, "IDF Worried Hamas May Have Advanced Missiles," Ha'aretz, February 21, 2007; Yuval Azoulay, "Report: IDF Believes Hamas has Rockets that Can Reach Ashkelon," Ha'aretz, June 24, 2007.


  18. Amos Harel and Amira Hass, "PA Responsible for Mortar Attacks," Ha'aretz, April 11, 2001; Palestinian Weapons Production," IDF Spokesperson's Office, February 18, 2003; Aaron Lerner, "PA Distributing the Mortars that Arafat Claims to be Stopping," IMRA, April 21, 2001; Khaled Abu Toameh, "Hamas Admits to Having Weapons Factories in Gaza," Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2004; 2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems, (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003; "Fatah Acquires Mortars in the West Bank," Middle East Newsline, November 30, 2005; "Gaza Based Terrorists Using Improved Hizbullah Mortar Shells," IsraelNationalNews, December 12, 2004; Amos Harel and Baruch Kra, "IDF Reservist Killed in Gaza Mortar Attack, Firing on Gilo Resumes, Ha'aretz, November 25, 2001; "IDF Activity in Ramallah - Weapons, Counterfeit Money and Terrorists Found in Ramallah," Ha'aretz, March 31, 2002; "Report: Follow the Money - Financing Terror Inside the PA - Captured Documents," IDF Spokesperson's Office, April 10, 2002; Amos Harel, Arnon Regular and Nir Hasson, "Qassams Hit Sderot; IAF Fires Missiles at Gaza Workshop," Ha'aretz, August 26, 2004.



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