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Politics : War -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Machaon who wrote (13340)	4/6/2002 8:12:05 PM
From: lorne	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 23908

Hamas Leaders in Gaza Strip Fear They Are Next Israeli Targets By Ibrahim Barzak Associated Press Writer Published: Apr 6, 2002 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - As Israel continues its military onslaught against militants in the West Bank, leaders of the radical group Hamas in the Gaza Strip are concerned they will be targeted next. The main faces of Hamas in Gaza - spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, fiery speaker Abdel Aziz Rantisi and leading spokesman Mahmoud Zahar - still appear at rallies and other public events, but have changed their routines. Yassin's aides never leave the quadriplegic's side, Rantisi has switched off his mobile phone and is unreachable and Zahar now changes cars most days. All three are members of Hamas' political leadership and claim they are not involved with the military wing that carries out attacks. But Israel says it does not accept the distinction. Throughout the last 18 months of Mideast fighting, Israel has killed dozens of suspected militants in attacks on their cars, offices and even backyard chicken coops. Israel says the militants were behind attacks against Israelis. Israel's foray into a half-dozen Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank since March 29 has only heightened their concerns. In the West Bank town of Tubas, Israeli troops on Friday trapped six Hamas gunmen in a house and riddled the hide-out with helicopter-fired missiles and tank shells, killing them all, witnesses said. The Hamas members included Qeis Odwan, accused by Israel of organizing the March 27 suicide attack on an Israeli seafront hotel that killed 26 Israelis and triggered the West Bank offensive. Hamas vowed "a tough response" to the six deaths, saying it would "shake (Israelis) to the core and destroy them." Meanwhile, Hamas leaders continued appearing at rallies and demonstrations. Yassin addressed 10,000 supporters at a Friday rally, saying more attacks were planned. Rantisi and Zahar said the same things to thousands more in Gaza City. Sitting in the medical clinic he runs, Zahar, a surgeon, promised more attacks. "We will continue the way we started and no one can dictate anything to us, we only fear God, we don't fear the enemy, and God willing, we will continue to terrorize them," he said, looking over glasses balanced on the tip of his nose. "They should not expect Gaza to be a nice trip for them. Everyone here will defend the land." Coming out of a mosque following Friday afternoon prayers, Ismail Abu Shanab, another prominent Hamas leader, acknowledged taking some protective measures. At least one was visible - his car windows were tinted. "We are doing all that we can, but don't forget we are freedom fighters and we have to be among our people," Abu Shanab said. ap.tbo.com