Rockets Developed by the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
The following are extracts from the Fatah's official statement taking responsibility for the firing of rockets at Israeli communities:
"Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Military Announcement
Rockets fired at settlement of Gush Katif
The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades take responsibility for the firing of rockets at [The Israeli community] Gush Katif…with a new type of rocket called Al Buraq. This event took place at 5:45 in the evening on Friday 21 February 2003. The enemy Zionist forces fired toward our Jihad warriors who, thanks be to God, returned safely to their base. They managed to film the operation [firing of the rockets] and this film will be released to the media. Allah Akbar [Allah is great], long live the Palestinian revolution, Allah Akbar, eternal glory to our deserving martyrs.
The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, saying and doing, promising and fulfilling their promises. Striking where it hurts.
Al Aqsa Brigades
Palestine
21 February 2003"
A senior Israeli security source emphasized that this Fatah statement about the development of new rockets demonstrates how much freedom of action terrorist organizations actually have in the Gaza Strip. It is a freedom that allows them to manufacture weapons and explosives that are then used to perpetrate terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.
The source also noted that the aim of the IDF operation in PA controlled territory was to strike at the vast weapons manufacturing terrorist infrastructure and to arrest terrorists in order to bring them to trial in Israel. He added that the IDF would continue to defend and act against the Palestinian terrorist threat emanating from Gaza, in order to foil terrorist attacks and bring security to the citizens of Israel, wherever they are.
It is important to note that the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is defined by both Europe and the USA as a terrorist organization.
The following is the original Fatah statement:
