Palestinians have anti-aircraft missiles, says Israel

Airline Industry Information, March 30, 2005

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Israeli security sources claimed on Tuesday (29 March) that Palestinians have smuggled anti-aircraft missiles into the Gaza Strip that might be used against commercial aircraft flying over central Israel.

Earlier this week the Israeli defence minister reportedly told the cabinet that Israel had asked the Palestinian Authority to locate several Strela missiles now in the Gaza Strip. There was concern that the missiles, which are capable of shooting down aircraft within a 5 km (3 mile) range, could be moved to the West Bank and used against aircraft landing at or taking off from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport, sources told Reuters.

The Palestinian Authority has denied the accusations.

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