OVERVIEW: The Qassam 1 is an unguided, short-range, surface-to-surface rocket designed for area bombardment with a high-explosive warhead. It is improvised and manually launched, primarily used for harassment and psychological effect rather than precision attacks.

DETAILS: The Qassam 1 is a locally manufactured artillery rocket developed by Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in the early 2000s. It is constructed from steel piping with a solid fuel propellant and carries a small HE warhead. The rocket is spin-stabilized and lacks any onboard guidance or control surfaces. It has a maximum range of about 3 to 4.5 kilometers and is fired from rudimentary, unguided launch rails or stands.

As the first of the Qassam series, the Qassam 1 established the basis for later versions with increased range and payload. It marked the initial transition from improvised explosives to structured rocket artillery by Palestinian factions.

The rocket is launched from mobile or concealed positions and aimed manually, often from civilian or urban cover. It requires minimal preparation, and the launcher is typically withdrawn quickly after firing to avoid detection.

NOTE:
IOC: 2001
Operators: Palestine
Platforms: Ground-based improvised launch rails or tripods
Conflict used in: Israeli–Palestinian Conflict (from 2001 onward)

SOURCE:
United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR): https://unidir.org ; Small Arms Survey: http://www.smallarmssurvey.org ; International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) ; Israeli Ministry of Defense Reports