Hamas Threatens Israel Over Palestinian Assassinations
GAZA CITY, Feb 17 (News Agencies) - The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas warned Israel on Saturday it was ready to avenge the death of Palestinians murdered by the Jewish state, a statement said.
"We warn the Zionist occupation forces against further eliminations and assassinations ... and we tell them that our combatants are ready to carry out reprisals tit for tat," Hamas said in the statement released here.
According to the Palestinian Authority, Israel has assassinated 20 Palestinians from various factions, including Yasser Arafat's personal security services, since November.
Israel has admitted a policy of assassinating Palestinians it considers to have been involved in what it calls "terrorist activities" during the Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, that began late last September.
Hamas also called on Arab leaders, who will convene at a summit in Amman in March, to adopt a firm position toward the government of Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon and to back the uprising.
"This terrorist does not deserve to be given time so as to check on his intentions because there is no hope that he will ever change," Hamas said about Sharon, who is considered by Arabs to be a war criminal.
Hamas opposed the peace process with Israel and has been behind numerous anti-Israeli attacks since 1994.
