GAZA: Israel launches multiple strikes against Gaza / Hamas calls for revenge after Israel assassinates its military chief, Ahmed Al Jaabari

Record ID: 340977

  • Title: GAZA: Israel launches multiple strikes against Gaza / Hamas calls for revenge after Israel assassinates its military chief, Ahmed Al Jaabari
  • Date: 14th November 2012
  • Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (NOVEMBER 14, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SMOKE BILLOWING OVER GAZA FIRE BURNING ON HORIZON MORE OF STRIKES ON GAZA AMBULANCE ARRIVING PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND AMBULANCE OUTSIDE HOSPITAL RESIDENTS CRYING AT HOSPITAL
  • Embargoed: 29th November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Gaza
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA773US8PF3E91QP79XQLE1F07S
  • Story Text: Israel killed the military commander of Hamas in an airstrike on the Gaza Strip Wednesday (November 14), bringing the two sides to the brink of a possible new war.
    The attack came despite signs that Egypt had managed to broker a truce between Israel and Palestinian militants after a five day surge of violence which saw more than 100 missiles fired out of Gaza and repeated Israeli strikes on the enclave.
    Islamist Hamas said Ahmed Al-Jaabari, who ran the organisation's armed wing, Izz el-Deen Al-Qassam, died along with a passenger after their car was targeted by an Israeli missile.
    Israel's Shin Bet domestic intelligence service confirmed it had carried out the attack, saying it had killed Jaabari because of his "decade-long terrorist activity".
    "The purpose of this operation was to severely impair the command and control chain of the Hamas leadership," the Israeli military said in a statement.
    Immediate calls for revenge were broadcast over Hamas radio and smaller groups also warned of retaliation.
    "Ahmed Al Jaabari has for long worked and waited for this day. He built, founded and led, and he was victorious in all positions, today he is getting his victory as a martyr. Our zionist enemy will, God willing, pay a price for this cowardly assassination because he is one of the most Hamas and Qassam (Hamas military wing) leaders," Hamas official Khalil Al Haya said from Gaza.
    "The zionist enemy does not know mediators and does not know control or agreements. The zionist enemy has for long spilt our peoples, blood, men, women, children, and elders. The battle between us and the enemy is open and will end, God willing, with the liberation of Jerusalem," Haya added.
    A Reuters witness reported there were multiple Israeli airstrikes against the coastal enclave, but it was not immediately clear what else had been targeted.
    Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007 and does not recognise Israel's right to exist. It has been emboldened by the rise to power in neighbouring Egypt of its spiritual mentors in the Muslim Brotherhood whom it views as a "safety net".
    Israel last staged a full-scale attack on Gaza during a three week conflict in 2008 and 2009 in which 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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