Hamas has succeeded in regaining some of its capabilities which Israel wiped out in last year’s Operation Pillar of Defense and has rockets capable of targeting the Gush Dan region of central Israel in which Tel Aviv is located, Army Radio reported on Monday.
Gaza terrorists launch rockets [file] – Photo: IDF Spokesmans Office
Hamas succeeded in firing a number of the M-75-type medium-range projectiles at Tel Aviv and greater Jerusalem during the eight-day, Operation Pillar of Defense in November.
More recently an M-75 landed south of Ashkelon in February. Hamas referred to the M-75 as “an improved Kassam” upon first using it during Operation Pillar of Defense.
The IAF targeted long-range rockets, and rocket launchers belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad at the onset of last year’s Gaza operation. The IAF’s first goal was to destroy stockpiles of long-range rockets such as the Fajr-5 and other rockets capable of striking Tel Aviv from Gaza.
The IDF said at the time that it believed it had eliminated the majority of the long-range threat.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz addressed the current state of the Gaza front on Monday, stating that the Strip “is relatively quiet after Operation Pillar of Defense – there is a very high level of deterrence.”
He added, however, that terror groups in the coastal territory had not stopped adding to their abilities through smuggling tunnels and through the production of their own weapons which he said was becoming “more and more advanced.”
Yaakov Lappin contributed to this report.
View original Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Report-Hamas-has-recovered-since-Pillar-of-Defense-can-produce-rockets-capable-of-hitting-Tel-Aviv-319872
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