JERUSALEM -- Israelrecently carried out at least 20 test explosions in its southern desert to measure the damage that would be inflicted by a so-called "dirty bomb" attack, the Israeli Ha'aretz newspaper reported Monday.
The dirty bomb, or radiological dispersal device, is a speculative weapon that combines widely-used radiological materials with conventional explosives.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, no country or organization has ever used it.
Spokespersons for Israel's defense ministry declined to comment on the report. However, the results of the experiments were published in a series of academic papers, which were obtained by Xinhua.
Israel evaluated the effects of the dirty bomb in two experimental programs, dubbed "Green Field" and "Red House," Xinhua has learnt.
According to an article published in the Journal of Atmospheric Environment, Israel first began to test the dirty bomb effects as early as 2004. The last documented test explosions were held in 2014.
The experiments took place in the Nuclear Research Center Negev, a nuclear reactor located outside the southern town of Dimona in the Negev Desert.
Scientists who took part in the project told Ha'aretz that the experiments were for defensive purposes.
In 2013, Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon warned then U.S. Secretary of Defense Chack Hagel that Iranwas interested in planting a dirty bomb in various locations in the West.
Concerns over radiological terrorism began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, after which al-Qaidathreatened to use radiological weaponry against the United States. Radioactive materials can be easily obtained from medical and industrial sources.
