AP MINIMIZES ROCKET ATTACKS

"Homemade" Rockets? (HonestReporting)
The Associated Press has minimized the dangers posed by Qassam rockets. In an article headlined "Israel Fires Missiles Into Abbas' Compound," the AP understates, the threat posed by Qassam rockets: "The Israeli air-strike came in response to homemade Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel."

The word "homemade" is a strange term to use. These rockets are manufactured in industrial areas or have been transported across the porous Gaza-Egyptian border. While Qassam Rockets are not the most sophisticated military weapon, they do require both expertise and dedicated locations to manufacture. Although the Palestinians have located many of the Qassam "labs" within residential areas, the notion that these are some type of "homemade" devices is misleading....

Qassam rockets can be quite dangerous. There have been hundreds of rocket attacks on Israeli territory launched from Gaza in the last three years. To see video of a Qassam being launched click here.

A Few Deadly Qassam Attacks:

June 28, 2004 The first fatal Qassam rocket attack occurred in Sderot. A man and a 4 year old boy were killed, and 7 others were wounded (including the boy's mother). Hamas claimed responsibility.

September 29, 2004 Two toddlers were killed by a Qassam rocket fired from Gaza. Hamas claimed responsibility.

January 21, 2005 A fifth Israeli died from wounds sustained during a Qassam rocket attack in Sderot.

July 14, 2005 Dana Galkovitch, a 22-year-old Israeli, was killed in a Qassam attack in the Netiv Ha'asara kibbutz, just north of the Gaza Strip.

September 24, 2005 Five Israelis were injured when Palestinian terrorists launched about 30 rockets on Israeli communities from the Gaza Strip.

February 3, 2006, A Qassam rocket struck a family's house in the western Negev village of Kibbutz Karmiya, injuring four people, including a 7-month-old baby.

March 28, 2006 A Qassam rocket killed two Israeli-Arab shepherds in Kibbutz Nachal Oz.

April 6, 2006 Nine Qassam rockets were fired at Israel. One hit a factory in Kibbutz Zikim causing a fire.