Qassam rocket – Islamic Jihad says it has better ones
Photo: Amir Cohen
Jihad: Our new rocket more lethal
Islamic Jihad spokesman says new rocket contains TNT, can reach central Ashkelon
Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, announced Saturday the organization has been able to develop a longer-range rocket that is more lethal and can reach central Ashkelon.
According to the group, the new rocket has a range of 13-16 kilometers (about 8-10 miles) and contains TNT, as well as other components that make it more powerful.
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However, a Qassam rocket apparently fired by the group at the western Negev Saturday is an older type of rocket.
Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Hamza said the military wing's engineering unit was finally able to produce the new Quds rocket, which is an improved version of the Quds 101 rocket currently used by the group.
The spokesman added the new rocket, which he said is 2.3 meters long (about 7 feet,) has been successfully tested by the organization and was produced using great investment at special labs.
Abu Hamza warned the new rocket will be put into use soon and noted the previous Quds model was able to cause damages in the Ashkelon area, north of the Gaza Strip. The spokesman added Islamic Jihad will continue to undertake work aimed at improving its launching capabilities.
Recently, almost all Palestinian organizations in the Gaza Strip announced they have been able to improve the rockets in their possession, which they said are more lethal than the current Qassam rockets.
At one point, Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades said the group was able to acquire Grad missiles.
