Hamas vows revenge as 12 killed

Source: Gulf-daily-news, 28-09-2007
GAZA CITY: "Israeli" forces pulled back yesterday after a raid into the northern Gaza Strip a day earlier in which troops killed 12 people in clashes with local gunmen and prompted calls for revenge from Hamas militants.
The Islamist group, which seized control of Gaza from rival forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in June, vowed revenge, and said "Israel" would "pay heavily" for the attack.
"The resistance factions are ready to force the Zionist enemy to pay a heavy price if they pursue their aggression. All options will be open to the factions in order to defend our people," said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
"Israel" launched the raid into the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun on Wednesday, following a surge in cross-border rocket salvoes. Palestinian militants fought back.
Witnesses said "Israeli" troops pulled back to positions they held earlier inside the coastal territory.
At least 21 Palestinians were also wounded in some of the fiercest fighting since Hamas seized control. One Hamas militant who was wounded on Wednesday died in hospital yesterday.
A pre-dawn "Israeli" air strike killed two militants from the armed wing of Hamas near the northern town of Beit Hanun. Another air strike there killed a member of Islamic Jihad and wounded another man, medical sources said.
The army confirmed that attack, which a spokesman claimed was aimed at a group that fired a rocket on southern "Israel".