Tel Aviv Within Hamas Range

Nov. 3, 2009 - PRLog -- Fears that the Hamas is increasing its military capabilities are proving to be well founded. The head of "Aman" (the Israeli intelligence agency) for the IDF, Major General Amos Yadlin, said this morning in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Commitee, that the Hamas has successfully launched a rocket that has a range of 60 kilometers, and which is capable of reaching Tel Aviv.

Yadlin told the members of the committee that the rocket is probably an Iranian model. "The Hamas is not interested in engaging in another conflict with Israel at the present, because it is busy establishing itself as the ruling power among the residents of the Gaza Strip. However, the organization is also investing much time in building up its military capabilities – all sorts of weapons are being smuggled into Gaza, including long-range missles. "

That information is extremely worrying, because during the "Cast Lead" operation the terrorists were able to shoot rockets at Israel that had ranges of up to 45 kilometers. Those rockets landed in Be'er Sheva, in Yavneh, and even near Rechovot. If the intelligence about the new 60 kilometer rocket is true, then Gush Dan and Tel Aviv are in danger of being targeted by the Hamas.

Major General Yadlin remarked to the Knesset committee that Israel had enjoyed a blessedly peaceful summer – one of the quietest summers in the last ten years. He attributed the relative quiet to the inauguration of the new United States President. Every country in the Middle East waited to see what stance President Obama would take regarding the myriad of Middle East issues. Another reason for the peaceful period, according to Yadlin, was that the various Arab organizations have been stocking up on weapons, and at the same time have been engaged in internal conflicts as each group struggles to achieve political power. Iran, Lebanon, and the Palestinians have simply been too busy dealing with their own issues to plan an attack on Israel at his time.

Yadlin claims, based on intelligence information, that the Hezbollah and the Hamas have been acquiring weapons with the help of Iran. "Iran transfers the weapons to the Hezbollah through Syria and Turkey, over land." That kind of activity is in violation of UN Resolution 1701, forbidding the presence of weapons in Southern Lebanon. Syria has become the weapons storehouse for every radical group in the region: Hamas, Hezbollah, and itself. Iran provides the financial incentive, and Syria then acts on two arenas. "Syria has its face towards the Western world, but the country's back door is open to anyone who wants to bring weapons through," said Yadlin.

Yadlin claims, based on intelligence information, that the Hezbollah and the Hamas have been acquiring weapons with the help of Iran. "Iran transfers the weapons to the Hezbollah through Syria and Turkey, over land." That kind of activity is in violation of UN Resolution 1701, forbidding the presence of weapons in Southern Lebanon. Syria has become the weapons storehouse for every radical group in the region: Hamas, Hezbollah, and itself. Iran provides the financial incentive, and Syria then acts on two arenas. "Syria has its face towards the Western world, but the country's back door is open to anyone who wants to bring weapons through," said Yadlin.

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