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."