Israel: No immunity for Hamas'

2006-01-28 20:21

Jerusalem - Israel warns that Hamas' election victory will not stop the party's leaders from being "targeted" by the country if they pursue "terrorist" attacks.

Israeli defence minister Shaul Mofaz said: "Those at the top of a terrorist organisation and those who continue to carry out attacks against the state of Israel will not have immunity.

"The answer is clear. Those who continue terrorist attacks will become the target of attack.

"Hamas knows better than anyone Israel's strength and ability to fight terrorism."

The Israeli government has rejected any negotiation with a Palestinian administration that includes Hamas, unless the faction disarms its military wing and recognises the Jewish state's "right to exist".

Hamas's Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades has claimed responsiblity for dozens of suicide attacks in Israel.

The Israeli military has likewise carried out a campaign of targeted assassinations against Hamas militants and leaders.

Hamas' charter calls for the destruction of Israel, and its leaders have vowed to continue in the path of armed "resistance" against Israeli occupation despite their election win and entry into mainstream politics.

At a news conference in Damascus on Saturday, Hamas' leader, Khaled Meshaal, who has himself survived an Israeli assassination attempt, proposed Hamas's armed wing be absorbed into a united Palestinian army.

He said an option was for "all the Palestinian arms to be pooled into a unified Palestinian army which, like all the other armies of the world, will be aimed at protecting our country from foreign occupation".

- AFP