Palestinians launch new 120 mm mortar in Gaza
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Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Saturday, June 23, 2001
TEL AVIV Ñ The Palestinian Authority has launched a new 120 mm
mortar in the nine-month-old war with Israel.
Israeli military sources said the first use of the 120 mm mortar was
recorded on Thursday. The weapon was fired at an Israeli terminal
in the eastern Gaza Strip and landed in nearby Israeli territory.
The 120 mm is said to have a range of between 3.2 and 6 kilometers and
weighs
three kilograms. The mortar has more explosives and a greater range than the
mortars so far deployed by the PA.
An Israeli military spokesman said the Palestinian mortar was made from
various components. The spokesman said the head of the mortar is 120 mm and
the tail is 140 mm.
"We are talking about a homemade product that has been improvised," the
spokesman said
The PA has deployed the 52 mm and 82 mm. These mortars have a range of
up to 1.6 kilometers. A military statement said that until Thursday's
attack, Palestinian gunners used only the 82 mm mortar.
The sources said the new 120 mm mortar was developed and produced by the
PA in its secret weapons factories in the Gaza Strip. The mortars were made
from aluminum to extend the range of the weapon.
The new Palestinian weapon was introduced as the United States prepares
to step up efforts to enforce a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and the
PA. Diplomatic sources said the Bush administration will launch an effort
next week to implement the recommendations of an international commission
that examined the war.
The recommendations include the complete halt in Israeli construction in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The sources said this will be a key aim of
U.S.
Secretary of State Colin Powell during his Middle East shuttle at the end of
next week.
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