IDF uncovers pipes used in manufacturing of Qassams in West Bank

Pipes found along with launch pads in laboratory in Nablus Casbah; 25 Palestinians injured in IDF operations in the city

Efrat Weiss
Published: 01.04.08, 00:29 / Israel News

IDF forces operating in Nablus Thursday night found two pipes resembling Qassam-like rockets in later stages of assembly in a laboratory in the West Bank city's Casbah.

Aided by intelligence pinpointing its location, the IDF forces found the laboratory with two pipes as well as the launching ramps for the projectiles.

The IDF said the rockets were in the advanced stages of assembly.

Locating the laboratory was one of the primary goals of the IDF's operations in the area.

Military officials from Central Command told Ynet that this incident "proves that as long as the IDF has full freedom of operation in Judea and Samaria, we will succeed in achieving results against terror organizations and if it weren't for this freedom of operation, things wouldn't look the same."

At least 25 injured in Nablus

Palestinian sources reported Thursday that at least 25 people were wounded during the IDF's operation in Nablus. According to reports, the casualties include an infant and one man, who was critically injured.

The IDF confirmed the attack, saying military forces were operating in an effort to locate weapons and wanted gunmen, and were using means of riot dispersal.

Large IDF forces made their way into Nablus Thursday morning, surrounding several areas, especially near Nablus' old city, and imposing a curfew. The IDF has detained one wanted gunmen for questioning.

According to Palestinian sources, an altercation flared between the soldiers and several local youths.

The Palestinians expressed their discontent with the IDF's operation in Nablus, particularly since Palestinian police were already deployed in the city.

As long as Israel fails to engage our enemies in war we allow them to prepare for the war that in the end must be fought.

The only question about a war with the Palestinians is when are we going to fight it and at what cost in terms of loss of our soldiers. I want to make it 100% clear that in a war with our enemies I only care about the loss of our soldiers. As far as our enemies goes I want the IDF to inflict on them the great pain and suffering that we can in the shortest period of time, so that we can end the war in the shortest period of time, resulting in a lowering of the risks to our side.