Hamas threatens US and Israel
2004-03-22 09:10
Gaza City - The militant Hamas says Islamic groups around the world will join together to retaliate for the killing of Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin and implied the United States could be a target.
"The Zionists didn't carry out their operation without getting the consent of the terrorist American Administration, and it must take responsibility for this crime," Hamas said in a statement.
"All the Muslims of the world will be honoured to join in on the retaliation for this crime," the statement said.
The threat against the United States would represent a change of tactics for the militant group, which has always said its fight was with Israel and not with the United States.
Asenior Hamas leader Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi earlier said on television that war was "open" with Israel.
- AP