OVERVIEW: The Qassam 3 is an unguided, short-range, surface-to-surface rocket used for area saturation attacks with a high-explosive warhead. It is the most powerful of the Qassam series, with extended range and payload for deeper strikes.

DETAILS: The Qassam 3 was introduced by Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades around 2005 as the third evolution of the locally manufactured Qassam rockets. It features a larger diameter and longer body, typically constructed from steel with a solid propellant motor and a warhead of approximately 10 to 20 kg of HE material. Its maximum range reaches 16 to 18 kilometers, depending on propellant quality and launch angle, and it remains spin-stabilized without any guidance. As with earlier models, it uses improvised production techniques under blockaded conditions in Gaza.

Compared to the Qassam 2, it adds significant payload capacity and extended reach, allowing it to threaten larger Israeli urban centers like Ashkelon. It represents the peak of the Qassam line before transitioning to more advanced Iranian or locally adapted systems.

It is launched from fixed or portable rails, typically set up in urban or rural hide sites, with targeting based solely on preset elevation and bearing. Launch teams vacate the area immediately after firing to avoid detection and counterbattery response.

NOTE:
IOC: 2005
Operators: Palestine
Platforms: Ground-based improvised static rails
Conflict used in: Israeli–Palestinian Conflict (2005–present)

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