Hamas improves rocket range capabilities after succesful test launch (ISRAEL HAYOM) Daniel Siryoti and Israel Hayom Staff 07/16/12)
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Egyptian media report that Hamas´ military wing test fired a rocket
into Sinai two weeks ago • Rocket, modeled after dismantled missiles
smuggled into Gaza from Libya, can reportedly reach further distances
than any other missile in Hamas´ rocket arsenal.
Egyptian media outlets reported Sunday that Hamas´ military wing test-
fired a rocket into the Sinai Peninsula from the neighboring Gaza
Strip two weeks ago. The rocket, according to the reports, was fired
toward central Sinai from the Rafiah area in south Gaza, and was
capable of reaching further distances than any other missile in
Hamas´ rocket arsenal.
Hamas sources in Gaza called the test launch a success after the
rocket landed dozens of kilometers from the Gaza border. The new-
model rocket, according to the reports, was developed in Gaza based
on knowledge from dismantled long-range missiles smuggled into Gaza
One month ago, two Grad rockets believed to have been fired from
Sinai into southern Israel were discovered near Ovda and Mitzpe
Ramon, after penetrating deeper into Israel than ever before.
The rockets hit unpopulated areas, causing no injuries or damage, but
the targets appeared to indicate that Sinai-based terror
organizations, perhaps operating in conjunction with Hamas, were
expanding their range.
Another theory was that Hamas, looking to draw Israeli fire away from
Gaza while still launching rockets, was developing longer range
rockets that could be fired from deep inside Sinai and still hit
The head of the Defense Ministry´s Diplomatic-Security Bureau, Amos
Gilad, however, voiced skepticism at the time over the identity of
"There are many extremist elements in Sinai that are interested in
complicating the region, whether al-Qaida or Hamas; some are working
for Iran and Hezbollah," Gilad said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources in the West Bank said on Sunday that
Israeli security forces raided the home of Hamas parliamentarian
Ahmed Mubarak in Ramallah late Saturday night, arresting him on
suspicion of endangering Israel´s security. Hamas and the Palestinian
Authority condemned Israel over Mubarak´s arrest.
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