Hamas said it has extended the range and capabilities of the
Kassam-class, short-range missile. The movement said gunners have succeeded
in firing the Kassam in salvos.
"We will let the missiles talk," Hamas spokesman Abu Obeid said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said it was capable of firing 100
Kassam missiles per hour, Middle East Newsline reported. The movement also said the military wing extended
the range and improved the accuracy of the Kassam.
The Kassam was believed
to have a range of at least 14 kilometers.
The statement came amid Israeli military threats to invade the Gaza
Strip. On Wednesday, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
acknowledged that it has rejected recommendations by military commanders for
a major operation in the Gaza Strip.
"The army has been ordered to continue its preparations to prevent other
attacks against Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip," a statement by
Olmert's office said.
Hamas reported the firing of nearly 100 missiles and mortars during
Israel's independence day on April 24. The attacks did not cause any
casualties.
An Egyptian security delegation has been meeting Hamas and other
Palestinian factions and urging them to end missile attacks against Israel.
The delegation, led by Gen. Jamal Hamad, warned that Israel could retaliate
by invading the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, Palestinian gunners continued missile fire into Israel. The
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said it fired two Nasser-3
missiles toward targets into Israel. No injuries were reported.
