Israel Assassinates Top Palestinian Militant in Gaza
Jerusalem
09 June 2006
Israel has assassinated a top militant in the Gaza Strip, raising tensions with the new Palestinian government led by the radical Islamic group Hamas.
Israeli aircraft fired four missiles into a Palestinian training camp in Gaza, killing militant commander Jamal Abu Samhadana. Officials say three other militants were also killed in the attack at the former Jewish settlement of Rafiach Yam, which Israel abandoned when it withdrew from Gaza last August.
The Hamas-led government had recently appointed Samhadana to head a new security force, though he is a member of another group -- the Popular Resistance Committees. He was the Number 2 man on Israel's most-wanted list, and the army says he was a key player in rocket attacks against Jewish communities bordering Gaza. He was also believed responsible for the bombing of a U.S. diplomatic convoy three years ago that killed three American security guards.
"The fight against war and terror continues in order to prevent suicide bombing and in order to prevent shooting of rockets on Israeli villages and towns," said Israeli Cabinet Minister Yitzhak Herzog. "After the pullout from Gaza there is no other choice but to take harsh steps in order to prevent those attacks."
Hamas said the assassination was a direct attack against the Palestinian Authority and would have dangerous consequences.
"I think this is proof, time after time, that Israel is not interested in peace or stability," said Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered in a Gaza stadium for Abu Samhadana's funeral, calling for revenge.
A Hamas legislator at the funeral urged militant groups to send Israel a message as painful as the assassination of Samhadana.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
