Mortars


  1. Introduction
  2. Indigenously Produced Mortars
  3. Smuggled Mortars
  4. Deployment Against Israeli Targets
  5. References
  6. Return to Homepage

[Introduction]

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Abu Jemal, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization explained that, "The advantage of the mortar is that the enemy can never protect himself from it. This is not an exceptionally accurate weapon, but that is not important to us. Even if the mortar does not hit the target, we want to cause confusion and panic." 1



[Indigenously Produced Mortars]

Various Palestinian terror groups manufacture mortars in workshops and factories throughout the Gaza Strip. According to the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, the Palestinian Sariya-1 is a 240 mm mortar with a 15 kilometer range.

During Operation Guardian Fortress in 2002, the IDF discovered a network of weapons manufacturing facilities in which hundreds of mortars were produced. The network was operated by the Palestinian Preventative Security (PPS), an official department of the Palestinian Authority. According to Israel Radio, Rashid Abu Shabbab, deputy to Mohammed Dahlan (of the PA Preventive Security in Gaza), actively distributed mortars to Palestinian terrorist organizations.

In October 2004, Nizar Rayyan, a Hamas leader from Gaza's Jabalya refugee camp, stated that Hamas operatives manufactured their own mortars and launchers.

In October 2005, a senior Fatah operative was arrested in the West Bank after Israeli police discovered a mortar launcher in his vehicle. The IDF later determined that Fatah had acquired and produced mortars in the West Bank. Israeli military sources note their troops have seized components of mortar systems transported by Fatah operatives that were probably stored in the Nablus and Ramallah areas.

According to a security source, "We believe that both Fatah as well as units of the Palestinian Authority forces have received mortars...We also have evidence that the mortars are being manufactured in the West Bank." 2

[Smuggled Mortars]

Palestinian terrorist elements have also smuggled mortars into the Gaza Strip.

December 2004

Israeli military officials revealed Palestinian terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip were using improved mortars in attacks against military and civilian targets. The new mortars contain more effective explosive material and are of a larger diameter. According to officials, the mortars are supplied by Hizballah and smuggled into Gaza via tunnels in the Rafah area.

January 2002

The IDF intercepted the Palestinian Karine A vessel 482 kilometers (300 miles) south of Israel, in the Red Sea. The Karine A was loaded with approximately 50 tons of weapons, including:

  • 120 mm mortars (Range: 6 kilometers)
  • 81 mm mortars (Range: 5.2 kilometers)
  • 60 mm mortars (Range: 1.7 kilometers)
  • Launching tubes

    •
May 2001


Israeli Navy patrol boats detained a 40 ton ship (the Santorini) off the western coast of Israel.

Israeli Naval Patrol Ship:
Dvora Class


The ship sailed from Lebanon under the patronage of the PFLP-GC with a cargo destined for Palestinian elements in the Gaza Strip. It should be noted that the ship had previously carried out at least two smuggling attempts on behalf of the Lebanese Hizballah terrorist organization.

Weapons found on board the ship included 60 mm mortars. 3
[Deployment Against Israeli Targets]

The first mortars deployed by Palestinian terrorist groups during the current conflict were fired at the Israeli community of Netzarim (Gaza Strip) in January 2001. Since then, thousands of mortars have been launched against Israeli military and civilian targets in the Gaza region, resulting in injuries and even fatalities. In addition, mortars have been seized in Palestinian areas of the West Bank. Palestinian terrorist elements have also fired mortars toward the Jerusalem suburb of Gilo. 4

Israeli Tank Patrolling Gilo

[References]

  1. Amos Harel and Amira Hass, "PA Responsible for Mortar Attacks," Ha'aretz, April 11, 2001.


  2. Palestinian Weapons Production," IDF Spokesperson's Office, February 18, 2003; Aaron Lerner, "PA Distributing the Mortars that Arafat Claims to be Stopping," IMRA, April 21, 2001; Khaled Abu Toameh, "Hamas Admits to Having Weapons Factories in Gaza," Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2004; 2003 Middle East Military Balance: Glossary of Weapon Systems, (Ground Forces Equipment), Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies, 2003; "Fatah Acquires Mortars in the West Bank," Middle East Newsline, November 30, 2005.


  3. "IDF Seizes PA Weapons Ship," Jewish Virtual Library, January 4, 2002, citing IDF Spokesperson's Office Website; "Israel Navy Forces Detain Ship With Weapons," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 7, 2001; "The Palestinian Authority's Possession of Arms in Violation of International Agreements," IDF Spokesperson's Office, April 7, 2002; "Gaza Based Terrorists Using Improved Hizbullah Mortar Shells," IsraelNationalNews, December 12, 2004.


  4. Amos Harel and Baruch Kra, "IDF Reservist Killed in Gaza Mortar Attack, Firing on Gilo Resumes, Ha'aretz, November 25, 2001; "IDF Activity in Ramallah - Weapons, Counterfeit Money and Terrorists Found in Ramallah," Ha'aretz, March 31, 2002; "Report: Follow the Money - Financing Terror Inside the PA - Captured Documents," IDF Spokesperson's Office, April 10, 2002; Amos Harel, Arnon Regular and Nir Hasson, "Qassams Hit Sderot; IAF Fires Missiles at Gaza Workshop," Ha'aretz, August 26, 2004.




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