Qassam hits strategic facility

Two other Qassams landed in the communities of Karmiya and Yad Mordechai, north of the Gaza Strip. The IDF fired artillery shells in response toward the area in the northern Gaza Strip from where the rockets were launched.

Workers said that panic broke out in the facility although they have already gotten used to the rocket fire.

"We again heard a strong explosion and saw the smoke. The alarm went off and all the employees were asked to enter reinforced rooms. This time the rocket fell in much more internal area, and we are under the impression that they are improving their rockets all the time. They have already managed to reach new places," an employee said.

However, Commander Effi Mor of the Lachish District Police said that "the rocket is being checked by our sappers, but according to estimations and tests performed, we do not see any change in the Qassam rockets fired at the area, compared to the previous rockets, neither in their range nor in their capabilities."

"The rocket that landed in the Karmiya area (a few weeks ago) and caused a number of injuries was indeed a slightly improved rocket, with iron pieces, but we generally don't see a different in these rockets. The range remains the same range," he said.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz recently agreed to connect all the factories in the area to the Red Dawn alert system through beepers. The alarm system did go off this time. Police and security forces were dispatched to the area.

Ongoing fire

Israel has been under ongoing Qassam fire in the past few days. On Thursday night, the IDF's alert system identified the launching of a Qassam rocket from the Gaza Strip toward the western Negev, but the exact falling spot was not located. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

About two weeks ago, a Qassam rocket hit the strategic facility south of Ashkelon. One woman was lightly wounded and the facility suffered light damage. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the fire and said that rocket was of a new al-Quds brand with a particularly long range and was targeted at Ashkelon.

On Thursday morning, five Qassam rockets were lauched from Gaza toward Israel. The rockets landed in open areas near the southern town of Sderot and western Negev kibbutzim. There were no reports of injuries or damage in the incidents.

One of the rockets fell near the Sderot cemetery. A number of residents who were at the cemetery heard the loud blast and notified the police. The rocket was later found near the cemetery.

The rockets were fired from the area of the town of Beit Hanoun. The IDF fired artillery shells toward the northern Gaza Strip in response. 

Another ten rockets were fired at Israel throughout the week, at least half of them landing on Israeli territory. IDF officials said that Islamic Jihad and Fatah groups were behind the fire. Hamas, on the other hand, continues its policy of not taking part in launching rockets.

Jihad: Our new rocket more lethal

Al-Quds Brigades, the Islamic Jihad's military wing, recently announced that 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.

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.

Hanan Greenberg and Ali Waked contributed to the report