Israeli chopper targets Hamas
2003-12-31 11:29
Gaza City - An Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at a car carrying militants from the violent Islamic Hamas, wounding 11 people and raising fears of an intensification of Middle East violence.
The attack after nightfall on Tuesday followed a two-month hiatus that had led to reports that Israel and Hamas had reached an informal agreement that Hamas would halt attacks inside Israel, and the Israelis would stop targeting Hamas leaders. The agreement, if it existed, appeared in jeopardy after the air strike.
As recently as Friday, the commander of the Israeli military, Lieutenant General Moshe Yaalon was quoted by an Israeli paper as saying that Hamas had stopped attacks inside Israel, crediting Israeli military strikes for cowing the group. Israeli security sources said at the same time that Israel would hold off on attacks against Hamas.
However, after Tuesday's air strike, Israel's military issued a statement saying the targets were "senior Hamas terrorists actively engaged in planning terror attacks."
Witnesses said two people were in the car targeted by the two missiles, but neither hit the vehicle and the two men escaped. It was not clear if they were among the wounded. Hamas officials said one of them was a midlevel commander, Jamal Jara.
Witnesses said the Fiat was travelling toward the Sheik Radwan neighbourhood, a Hamas stronghold, when Apache helicopters opened fire.
Dr Jomma Saka of Gaza's Shifa Hospital said 11 people were taken to the hospital. One was in critical condition, another suffered moderate injuries, and the rest were lightly wounded, he said.
Israel is seeking violence
Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin said Israel would pay a heavy price for the attack. "These massacres and crimes prove that Israel is seeking violence and not looking for peace, security and stability," he said on TV.
During three years of fighting, Israel has frequently carried out similar airstrikes aimed at Palestinian militants.
On Thursday, Israel mounted a similar air strike, aimed at the smaller of the two Islamic militant groups, Islamic Jihad, killing the group's top commander, two other militants and two bystanders.
Troops also killed a Palestinian man near the city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Palestinian hospital officials said. They said the man was killed by random gunfire. The Israeli army said soldiers fired at a group of suspicious figures who were planting explosives near the settlement of Morag. After the incident, the military said soldiers found a tripwire and roadside bomb in the area.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has resisted a crackdown on the militants, instead seeking a truce agreement with the militants. Despite Egyptian help, so far he has not succeeded.
- AP