Hamas vows revenge as Israel kills four militants

THE militant group Hamas threatened revenge yesterday after Israel killed four of its members in a missile strike and declared anyone in the group a target for “liquidation.”

With Palestinian leaders locked in a power struggle over control of security forces, Palestinian officials warned that Sunday night's air strike part of Israel's response to a suicide bombing last week that killed 21 people would undermine efforts to rein in militants, a key requirement in a fading US-backed peace plan.

"If the Israelis thought assassinations would destroy our determination to continue in our resistance, to continue defending ourselves, they are mistaken," Hamas spokesman Ismail Haniya said. "We will move ahead whatever the sacrifice." The Hamas military wing, Izzedine al Qassam, promised revenge, saying in a statement that "our response will be painful and quick."

Meanwhile, Yasser Arafat appointed Jibril Rajoub, a former West Bank security chief, to the vacant post of national security adviser, his latest move to outflank US-backed Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in a struggle over control of security forces. Mr Abbas and his security chief, Mohammed Dahlan, have said they need to control all security forces to confront militants. But Mr Arafat has refused to hand over key units. A meeting on the issue broke up late on Sunday with no decision.

Mr Rajoub, who has taken part in security talks with Israel and speaks fluent Hebrew learned during years in an Israeli prison, said a national security council will be formed under Arafat's leadership. "It will oversee the reform of the security forces," in co-operation with international mediators, Mr Rajoub said.

Mr Rajoub was fired by Mr Arafat as West Bank security chief in July 2002 after a falling out.

Mr Abbas' office declined comment, while Palestinian Cabinet Minister Ghassan Khatib said the appointment "does not have much significance" because the post of security adviser has no clearly defined authority.

Israel, meanwhile, intensified its policy of hunting down and killing militant leaders, saying the Palestinians have failed to crack down on militants. In Gaza City on Sunday night, Apache helicopters fired three missiles at armed men near a crowded beach front, killing four members of Hamas' military wing and wounding more than a dozen bystanders.

Some of the victims were decapitated by the assault, which took place just 100 yards from Mr Dahlan's office.

"The first missile hit the car, four people fled the car and then three more missiles were fired at them. It was difficult to look at the scene," said Abdel Salam Abu Askar, a Palestinian journalist and eyewitness.

Israeli security officials said one of the dead, Ahmed Aishtawi, was a top operative who had planned and executed attacks in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. A Hamas spokesman said Aishtawi led a unit that had pioneered the firing of homemade rockets into Israel and at Jewish settlements. About 1,500 mourners marched through Gaza City yesterday in a funeral for Aishtawi and another Hamas member. One speaker warned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "to prepare coffins."

"We are on the way, and we say your assassinations will only bring death and destruction to your people," the man said.