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Seminars

Palestinians launch new 120 mm mortar in Gaza

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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