2007年VOA标准英语-Israel Says It Will Target Hamas Leaders

Israel confirms that it is targeting the leaders of the Islamic militant¹ group Hamas, hours after a deadly attack on the home of one of its lawmakers in the Gaza Strip. At least 12 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes during the past 24 hours. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, Hamas is threatening harsh retaliation².

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (2nd L), Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya(C),Hamas MP Ahmed Bahar(L) attend mass funeral for nine victims of al-Haya family killed in Israeli air strike

Cabinet Minister Gideon Ezra told Israel Radio that Hamas political leaders are inciting⁴ the Palestinian public and giving the orders to attack the Jewish state. Therefore, he said, they are legitimate⁵ targets.

Ezra made the comments hours after an Israeli aircraft fired a missile that hit the home of a Hamas lawmaker. He was not there, but Palestinians say eight people were killed, including several of his relatives and two militants. The army said it was targeting a group of five Hamas gunmen near the house.

Hamas was outraged⁶ by the air strike and promised revenge. The Hamas military wing called for a renewal⁷ of suicide bombings in Israeli cities.

A Hamas leader in Gaza, Nizar Iyan, said the group will fight until the last Jew is expelled from Israel.

Iyan told Hamas Television that Israel must be wiped off the map and replaced with a Palestinian state.

So the threats and the fighting continue. In another air strike, Israel targeted a car carrying Islamic Jihad militants, killing⁸ four of them. And more rockets have been falling on the Israeli side of the border.