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| By israelinsider staff May 27, 2007 |
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A Hamas spokesman claimed Sunday that should Israel harm any of the terror organization's political leaders, it would be target Israel's public and political officials, reported Israel Radio.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted during Sunday's cabinet meeting that PA leaders could be targeted, saying "no one has immunity."
This new Hamas threat came after yesterday's by the Hamas military wing spokesman, which threatened captured soldier Gilad Shalit's life should Israel target Haniyeh, and other Hamas leaders.
Pensioners Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan responded to Saturday's threat, saying "Haniyeh will pay with his head if a hair on the head of Gilad Schalit is harmed."
On Saturday a spokesman for the Islamist terror group's armed wing, the Izz el-Din al-Qassam Brigades announced that "If any of Hamas' leaders are harmed, Israel can forget about Gilad Shalit."
Speaking to reporters hours after an IAF strike on a Hamas position in Gaza left five Palestinians dead, Abu Obaida said, "Suicide bombings in Israel are just a matter of time and proper conditions.... We can fire rockets even beyond Ashkelon, and we will resume the suicide bombings and kidnappings."
The Hamas spokesman boasted that the Israeli attacks will "not stop the Palestinian resistance responsible for manufacturing the Qassams."
Abu Obaida vowed that there would be an "earthshaking" response should Israel target Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh or any other senior Hamas member.
"The Zionist enemy must realize one thing and that is that it can forget about the soldier Shalit if it harms one of Hamas' political or military leaders," Abu Obaida said, adding that his group is in possession of advanced weapons that "will be used against Israel sooner or later."
"The enemy knows that getting Shalit back is in our hands," he said. "It would be a dream." He said that Schalit's life was not in danger, but rather his freedom.
Hamas on Saturday nixed an effort by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to bring about a ceasefire with Israel.
Hamas, in a statement, called for the Palestinian people to "strike down Israel," adding that Israel "has crossed all the red lines and only understands the language of force."
Haniyeh himself addressed the IDF's continued strikes in Gaza, saying: "The bombardments indicate Israel's national and security crisis and moral bankruptcy. The IDF attacks will fail against the unity and resistance of the Palestinian people."
Meanwhile, IDF troops operating in the West Bank arrested Cabinet Minister without portfolio Wasfi Kabaha. They confiscated his computer and documents two days after a sweep in which more than 30 Hamas politicians and legislators were arrested, including the education minister. |
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