Hamas Resumes Weapon Production

The Middle East Newsline has been told by top Israeli military sources that the Hamas government in Gaza has reorganized and resumed weapons and missile production in Gaza – only two weeks after the end of the war with Israel, which ended on Jan. 18.

The sources said the first missile and rocket production lines were established in Gaza City and the neighboring U.N. refugee camp of Jebalya.

“The process is not very difficult,” a military source said. “You need a supply of steel, TNT and running electricity, and you’re in business.”

On Feb. 13, the Israel Air Force (IAF) renewed air attacks on Hamas weapons facilities. Israeli aircraft struck and damaged two suspected weapons and rocket workshops in Jebalya.

Military sources in Israel said Hamas lost about 2,000 rockets during the 22-day war with Israel.

They said the Islamic regime and its Palestinian militia allies rebuilt weapons factories immediately after the war. It resumed smuggling components from the neighboring Sinai Peninsula to manufacture Qassam short-range rockets.

Hamas has also renewed BM-21 Grad rocket-fire against Israel. On Friday, Palestinian militants fired a Grad that landed near the Israeli city of Yavne.

Meanwhile, the Hamas regime has been smuggling Grads and other missiles and rockets from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

Yesterday, at least two Qassam rockets landed in Israel’s western Negev desert.

“Egyptian action is too slow, and the government must set an appropriate policy for the Israel Defense Forces,” Israeli Public Security Minister Avi Dichter told the Cabinet on Sunday.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com