GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has been seeking to acquire or develop
a guidance system for its extended-range missiles and rockets.
Hamas sources said the Islamic regime in the Gaza Strip has appealed to
its allies to deliver a guidance system for its Katyusha-class rockets. The
sources said Hamas has been dissatisfied with the accuracy of its missile
and rocket strikes against Israel.
"The attacks have been much more effective than in the past, but we
still lack the ability to designate and strike a target," a Hamas source
said.
On Jan. 6, Hamas conducted its deepest rocket strike in Israel, Middle East Newsline reported. A 220 mm
Chinese-origin rocket landed in the southern city of Gedera, traveling 45
kilometers into Israel and injuring a baby.
The source said Hamas, with help from Iran, has significantly improved
its missile and rocket arsenal in 2008. Hamas was said to have enhanced its
warheads and added stabilizers to missiles and rockets.
"Most of the missiles and rockets we fire now reach Israel," the source
said. "Only three years ago, most of what we fired would land in the Gaza
Strip."
But Hamas sources said Iran has refused to deliver a missile or rocket
guidance system to the Gaza Strip. The sources said Teheran has linked such
a Hamas request to control over the Palestinian weapons arsenal.
"We have allowed Iran significant influence in our decisions and
operations," another Hamas source said. "But we can't allow them to make
decisions for us."
Mohammed Nazal, a leading Hamas political figure based in Damascus, said
Hamas would fight without its Iranian ally. Nazal said Hamas has asked
neither Iran nor Hizbullah to intervene militarily in the war with Israel.
