Israeli missile takes out Iran-backed missile developer
GAZA CITY — Israel has killed the head of missile development of the
Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad.
An Israel Air Force aircraft fired an air-to-ground missile that killed
Raid Farouna in Gaza City. Farouna was identified as the director of Jihad's
missile program.
Farouna was said to have been an engineer who modified the Kassam-class,
short-range missile. He extended the range of the Kassam-3 missile to about
16 kilometers, or capable of striking the Israeli city of Ashkelon from the
Gaza Strip.
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Palestinian sources said Farouna was also said to have been responsible
for the manufacture of the Quds-3 missile and acquisition of the BM-21 Grad
rocket. They said Farouna was directed by Iranian and Hizbullah missile and
rocket experts.
The air-to-ground missile struck Farouna's car and killed up to nine
bystanders in the Sejaiyeh district of Gaza City. Jihad, cited as the
most active group in missile strikes against Israel, has vowed revenge.
In all, 12 Palestinians were killed and 40 others were injured in
Israeli military operations in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Israeli
main battle tanks, armored vehicles and attack helicopters struck suspected
insurgency strongholds around the town of Khan Yunis. Five Israeli soldiers
were reportedly injured.
"During the night, IDF forces began to operate against the terror
infrastructure in the northern and southern part of the Gaza Strip," an
Israeli military statement said on late Wednesday. "During the day,
Palestinians fired anti-tank missiles and opened fire on numerous occasions
at IDF soldiers."
The military said 15 Palestinian fighters were struck by Israeli fire.
The Israeli operation also led to the capture of Palestinian weapons as well
as "surveillance and targeting equipment and wireless communications
equipment."
