Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have improved their ability to attack Israeli population centers, according to an assessment by Israel’s military intelligence chief.

Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin told parliament’s foreign affairs and defense committee that an Iranian-made rocket was successfully test-fired and that it could fly 37 miles and strike metropolitan Tel Aviv, Israeli media reported.

Until now, rockets fired from Gaza have reached up to 25 miles, putting one-eighth of Israel’s population within rocket range.

Yadlin said the rocket was fired recently, but no further details were available. Defense officials say Palestinian militants in Gaza generally test-fire rockets into the Mediterranean Sea. Tehran had no comment on Yadlin’s allegations of Iranian involvement. — ap & jpost.com