Hamas vows to avenge assassination attempt

Israel targeted a senior Hamas leader in a missile strike in Gaza City today, injuring him in the right leg and killing two bystanders, doctors said. Two dozen people were hurt.

The attack on Abdel Aziz Rantisi – the highest profile Hamas member to be targeted – jeopardised efforts to persuade the Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas, to halt their attacks on Israelis.

It also appeared to violate the spirit of a US-backed peace plan, under which Israel promised to refrain from actions that undermine trust. There was no immediate Israeli comment.

Hamas quickly threatened revenge. “This crime will not pass,” said Mahmoud Zahar, another Hamas leader. He said there would be more attacks on Israelis. “Israel can expect severe punishment for this crime,” he said.

The incident came two days after a Hamas gunman – with two other gunmen from other groups – infiltrated an Israeli army post in Gaza and shot dead four soldiers before they were gunned down.

It began when three Israeli Apache helicopter gunships appeared over Gaza City before noon today and fired at least seven missiles at Rantisi’s Mitsubishi Pajero in a crowded road.

Rantisi’s vehicle burst into flames and was quickly reduced to a scorched heap of wreckage.

Palestinian doctors said two bystanders were killed, including an eight-year-old girl. Rantisi was injured in the right leg, and was undergoing surgery at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital.

In all, 27 people were wounded, including three of Rantisi’s bodyguards and Rantisi’s son, said Dr Moawiya Hassanain, director of Shifa Hospital. Three of the wounded were in a critical condition.

Hundreds of Hamas supporters rushed to the hospital, chanting “Jihad (holy war) will continue.” Dozens of Hamas gunmen fired in the air.

The Israeli missile strike came as Egypt was making a renewed effort to persuade Hamas and other militant groups to halt attacks on Israelis.

The Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, was to meet Hamas leaders in Gaza tomorrow, but it was not clear whether the talks would now go ahead as planned.

Last week, Hamas said it was breaking off truce talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, complaining that he has been too conciliatory to Israel, particularly in his speech at a Mideast summit last week.

At the summit, Abbas called for an end to the “armed intefadeh” and denounced violence against Israelis everywhere.

Rantisi, a leader of the Hamas political wing, is considered a hard-liner in the Islamic militant group. He has been among the most vocal in opposing a halt to attacks on Israelis.

In the past, Israel has killed scores of wanted Palestinians in helicopter missile strikes and other targeted attacks. Today’s attack on Rantisi, one of the best known spokesmen for the militant group, apparently marked the first time Israel targeted a political leader of Hamas.