The sources said Hamas has also combined RDX with TNT for the Kassam
warhead. They said the TNT comes in granite-like sections that are ground
and compressed for the missile.
In a demonstration for the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya satellite channel on
Feb. 12, Abu Dejana, who said he has produced up to 500 missiles over the
last few years, employed sugar and potassium nitrate to increase the blast
of the warhead. He said Hamas then added shrapnel to intensify the lethality
of the missile.
"We use pins, nails and pieces of metal, which increase the blast," Abu
Dejana said.
Abu Dejana said Kassam's propellant consists of glucose, sugar and
nitrate. He said the substances are mixed and then melted before being
placed into the engine.
Palestinian sources said Hamas has also installed timers on its
missiles. They said the timers, which could be taken from washing machines
and other appliances, allow Hamas squads to flee before a Kassam launch and
escape Israeli air retaliation.
"In the past, the holy warriors would set the missile and launch it, and
then they would be targeted by the Zionist enemy," Abu Abdullah, Abu
Dejana's deputy, said. "So we began to use timers. After the missile is
placed on the ground, the timer is set, the holy warrior retreats, and the
missile is launched five or 10 minutes later."