Jerusalem, Nov 3 (AP) Hamas militants in Gaza have successfully test-fired in recent days an Iranian rocket able to reach metropolitan Tel Aviv, the country's military intelligence chief said today.

Maj Gen Amos Yadlin told parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee that the rocket could fly 60 kilometres, which would put Israel's largest urban centre at risk, Israeli media reported.

Until now, rockets fired from Gaza have reached up to 40 kilometres, putting one-eighth of Israel's population within rocket range.

No further details were immediately available from Yadlin's testimony before the closed session.

Defence officials say Palestinian militants in Gaza generally test-fire rockets into the Mediterranean Sea.

It was not clear whether the rocket actually flew 60 kilometres, or why Yadlin described the rocket as being of Iranian origin.

Israeli ballistics experts have said paint, tool work and Latin lettering on other rocket fragments point to Iranian origins.

- (Agencies)