The new Hamas leader in Gaza said yesterday the group had no plans to attack American targets, backing off earlier threats from its armed wing following Israelâs assassination of Hamasâ founder. However, the group is considering targeting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in retaliation for the killing of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, another top Hamas official said. Hamasâ armed wing issued a statement Monday saying Americaâs backing of Israel made Yassinâs assassination possible. US President George W. Bush said after the statement that the United States takes the threat seriously. On Tuesday, the State Department repeated a long-standing warning urging Americans not to travel to the Gaza Strip. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said yesterday he opposed targeting civilians. âWe are against any attack on civilians, whether they were Israeli or Palestinian,â he said.
| "They're gonna kill me! I'm too old to be a martyr! I'm too important to The Movement!" |
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