National News Israel assassinates Hamas leader in airstrike, Palestinians vow revenge

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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israel killed Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin on March 22, prompting threats of revenge by Palestinian militants against Israel, specifically Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Israeli helicopters fired three missiles as Yassin, his bodyguards and dozens of others left a mosque in Gaza City early in the morning. Yassin, a quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair, and seven others were killed, including several bodyguards.

Yassin was the most prominent Palestinian leader killed by Israel in more than three years of fighting. He founded Hamas in 1987 and was held in Israeli prisons for several years before being released in 1997. Israel blamed him for inspiring the Hamas bombers who have killed hundreds of Israelis.

More than 200,000 Palestinians, some carrying green Hamas flags, crowded the streets for the funeral procession, the largest gathering in Gaza City in recent memory. Thousands also took to the streets in the West Bank.

"Words cannot describe the emotion of anger and hate inside our hearts," said Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh.

Sharon called Yassin the "mastermind of Palestinian terror" and a "mass murderer who is among Israel's greatest enemies."

Sharon said Israel will go ahead with its war on terror, signaling more targeted attacks. "The war against terror has not ended and will continue day after day, everywhere," he said.

U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said Washington had "no advance warning" of the attack. When asked about U.S. reaction to the attack, she said, "Let's remember that Hamas is a terrorist organization and that Sheik Yassin has himself, personally, we believe, been involved in terrorist planning."

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan condemned the killing as "contrary to international law," and urged all sides to remain calm.

イスラエル、ヤシン師暗殺

3月22日、イスラエル軍の空爆により、イスラム原理主義組織「ハマス」の精神的指導者であるヤシン師が暗殺された。

Shukan ST: April 2, 2004

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