Yaakov Lappin , THE JERUSALEM POST Apr. 1, 2009
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A growing number of Chinese-made rockets are being smuggled into the Gaza
Strip from Sinai and fired at Israel, a senior police sapper told The
Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, at least two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at
the western Negev, with no injuries or damage being reported.

During a press conference held Tuesday in Jerusalem, Supt. Kobi Preger,
deputy head of the Israel Police's national bomb disposal laboratory,
identified at least three types of Chinese-made rockets among those being
fired from the Gaza Strip.

"The 107 millimeter [diameter] rocket, often called a 'Grad,' and two types
of 122mm rockets are made in China," Preger said.

He added that one version of the 122mm rocket had a range of 40 kilometers
and had been used by Hamas to target areas such as Yavne, north of Ashdod,
during Operation Cast Lead.

It is widely believed that the group is seeking to obtain rockets that can
reach Tel Aviv.

While a Grad-type 107mm rocket carries 1.2 kilograms of explosives, both
forms of the 122mm rocket can carry 6.3kg, Preger said.

"Regarding improvised rockets made in Gaza, terrorists are trying improve on
the range," he warned. "The rockets are going farther and getting more
powerful."

Over the years, Palestinian factions have competed against each other to
create their own rocket types. According to the police, the Palestinian
Resistance Committees has produced the al-Nasser, identifiable by its black
and green camouflage colors and red tip. Fatah in Gaza has made and fired
the al-Aqsa rocket, while Islamic Jihad uses the al-Quds 3 rocket. Hamas's
flagship rocket is the Kassam, which in its various forms is usually marked
with red and green colors.