Free Republic

An upgraded ballistic rocket was reportedly launched Tuesday from the Gaza Strip into the Mediterranean sea, presumably to test the weapon’s capabilities and range. The test caused loud explosion sounds that were audible in Israeli towns and cities adjacent to the Gaza border, Channel 2 reported. The rocket was an improved version of the M-75 missile with a slightly longer range and a larger warhead, the report said. Other Israeli news outlets, citing the army, attributed the explosion sounds to ultrasonic booms caused by Israeli jets that were participating in a drill.

Eschewing the traditional snowman, sculptors utilized Jerusalem’s snowfall to fashion a replica M-75 rocket on the Temple Mount, causing a flurry of activity on the social media network Facebook on Thursday. **SNIP** When Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal visited the coastal enclave for the first time in December, for instance, he arrived on stage by popping out of a model of the rocket. At the time Hamas was celebrating 25 years since its founding and did so with a cake covered with frosting depicting, yes, an M-75 rocket. There is even an M-75 perfume available in Gaza that was described...