Hamas to avenge “Israeli” airstrike

Source: The Australian, 22-8-2007
HAMAS` militant wing has vowed a harsh response to an "Israeli" airstrike that killed six of its ranking members -- the deadliest attack against its inner sanctum for more than a year.
The escalation follows weeks of pressure on the Hamas-run Gaza, which has led aid groups to claim the impoverished Strip was in worse shape than at any time since Hamas was elected to power 20 months ago.
The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the agricultural sector in Gaza was at risk of collapse, thanks to the closure of crossings almost 80 days ago.
The closures came at the start of the planting season, which employs 40,000 people and produces up to 500 tonnes of produce daily, much of it for export to "Israel" and Egypt. OCHA estimated the closures had cost the fragile Gazan economy about US$9million ($11.2million).
"Israel" and the international community have pledged to isolate Gaza while it is ruled by Hamas, which was sacked from the Government by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who denounced Hamas` actions in June as a coup.
The US and "Israel" have since moved rapidly to embolden the Government led by Mr Abbas and newly appointed Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad, both of whom back recognition of "Israel" as part of moves towards Palestinian statehood.
The success of the US-led push hinges on Gazans paying heed to the economic growth and gradual freeing up of the West Bank, where security travel restrictions are being eased under a deal between Mr Abbas and "Israeli" Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"Israel" has vowed to hit hard against rocket attacks from within Gaza, which have struck "Israeli" communities near the Gazan border for the past four years. Hamas has largely refrained from launching rockets, but sanctioned attacks by militant groups Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.
The latest attack followed barrages launched by Islamic Jihad. The Hamas militants were killed as the car in which they were driving past a refugee camp in central Gaza was hit by a rocket fired by a drone or helicopter.
The "Israeli" Military Force claimed those in the car were members of a rocket-launching team that hours earlier had fired a barrage into southern "Israel".
"The Zionist enemy ‘Israel') is playing with fire and they will have to shoulder the responsibility for the consequences of this crime," said Izz al-Din al-Qassam spokesman Abu Ubaida.
Asked whether Hamas would resume firing rockets into "Israel", he said: "If the Zionist enemy fears the possibility of a response with rockets, then they should know that we have even more dangerous weapons."
Hamas has been consolidating its positions inside the Strip and receiving weapons from the Arab world and Tehran, "Israeli" intelligence claims.
Meanwhile, Middle east envoy Tony Blair arrives in Jerusalem (al-Quds) early next week to start in his new role to bring peace to the Holy Land.