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Israel has carried out the successful test launch of a long-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead in a clear show of strength to Iran.
The test firing was seen in the skies over Jerusalem, causing many Israelis to call the emergency services fearing they were under attack by Palestinian militants. It was launched from the top-secret Palmachim air base south of Tel Aviv, home to a number of highly sensitive Israeli weapon systems including the Arrow anti-missile defence battery.
While Israeli officials declined to comment publicly, unnamed officials quoted in the Israeli media expressed satisfaction at both the launch and its impact across the region. Regional defence experts said Israel had begun a programme to extend the range of its existing Jericho-2 ground attack missiles. The Jericho-3 is planned to have a range of 4000km which brings all of Iran within range.
Iran, which frequently test fires missiles, is currently under sanctions for failing to comply with inspections of its nuclear programme.
While Israel has never confirmed it has nuclear weapons, it is the worst-kept secret in the Middle East that it acquired them years ago.
A recent article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz said American intelligence officials concluded as early as 1974 that Israel had stockpiled nuclear weapons, and that the early Jericho ground-to-ground missile system was designed for nuclear warheads.
"Everybody can do the math and understand that the significance is that we can reach with a rocket engine to every point in the world," said Isaac Ben-Israel, a retired army general and Tel Aviv University professor who is now an MP.
Meanwhile, Israel has closed border crossings with the Gaza Strip and destroyed the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in an air strike, stepping up what it says is a campaign to halt Palestinian rocket attacks.
The four-storey ministry complex in Gaza City was empty at the time but one woman was killed and at least 30 others nearby were wounded in a large explosion.
It was the first Israeli strike against a government building since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June.
Israel has killed more than 30 Palestinians in Gaza since Monday. The Israeli army says it is targeting Gaza militants who have fired more than 110 rockets in the past three days alone.
- REUTERS
