GAZA: PALESTINIANS BEGIN MOURNING ISRAELI ASSASSINATION OF TOP HAMAS BOMB MAKER ADNAN AL-GHOUL

Record ID: 400891

  • Title: GAZA: PALESTINIANS BEGIN MOURNING ISRAELI ASSASSINATION OF TOP HAMAS BOMB MAKER ADNAN AL-GHOUL
  • Date: 22nd October 2004
  • Summary: (W3) GAZA CITY (OCTOBER 22, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF OVERNIGHT HAMAS DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE STREETS FOR THE ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE THURSDAY (OCTOBER 21) THAT KILLED ADNAN AL-GHOUL, NUMBER TWO IN THE HAMAS MILITARY WING AND NEAR THE TOP OF ISRAEL'S MOST WANTED LIST SINCE 1987 (2 SHOTS) 0.17 2. LV/SLV: LARGE DEMONSTRATION, TIRES BURNING IN STREET (2
  • Embargoed: 6th November 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GAZA CITY, JABALYA REFUGEE CAMP, GAZA
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVA57SW4QT66C38QV13H28XLTTEZ
  • Story Text: Palestinians mourn Hamas top bomb maker killed in
    Israeli air strike

    Palestinians have begun to mourn the assassination
    of Adnan al-Ghoul on Friday (October 22, 2004) after Israel
    killed the top bomb maker of the Hamas Islamic militant
    group in a Gaza Strip air strike on Thursday (October 21),
    days before a key parliamentary vote on Prime Minister
    Ariel Sharon's plan to quit the occupied territory.

    The assassination of Adnan al-Ghoul, number two in the
    Hamas military wing and near the top of Israel's most
    wanted list since 1987, dealt a major blow to Hamas. It
    could also help Sharon counter far-right opponents of his
    pullout plan, who say it would reward Palestinian attacks.

    The army said it targeted Ghoul, 45. He had survived
    several previous assassination attempts, including a bid to
    kill him with a poisoned cup of coffee. He lost two sons in
    earlier Israeli attacks.

    A missile from an unmanned Israeli drone slammed into
    Ghoul's car in Gaza City, killing him and an aide,
    witnesses said. Militants from Hamas, sworn to destroying
    Israel, vowed suicide bombings in revenge.

    Ghoul's death was the biggest blow to Hamas since
    Israel killed Gaza leader Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi in April.

    As well as being the top bomb maker for Hamas, Ghoul
    was also known as the "Father of the Qassam" -- a makeshift
    rocket fired into Israel and Jewish settlements that has
    become an increasing headache for Sharon ahead of the
    planned withdrawal.

    The killing of two Israeli toddlers on Sept 29. in a
    Qassam attack triggered the biggest offensive into Gaza in
    the past four years of conflict. More than 100 Palestinians
    were killed and three Israelis also died.

    To avenge Ghoul's killing, Hamas fired off salvoes of
    rockets and mortar bombs towards Israeli targets.

    "Death is coming to the enemies," said the group's
    armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades.

    Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat condemned the
    assassination and said it "reflects the determination of
    the Israeli government to continue the path of military
    solutions rather than negotiations".

    Saying there is no Palestinian negotiating partner, Sharon has
    vowed to carry out a unilateral withdrawal of
    settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip and four of 120
    settlements in the West Bank by the end of next year.

    But he faces stiff opposition even within his own Likud
    party to ceding land captured in the 1967 Middle East war
    and political tensions have risen ahead of a parliamentary
    vote next week that could make or break his government.

    Militants want to claim any pullout as a victory, but
    Israel is determined to smash them first and also undermine
    the argument of Sharon's opponents -- who say a withdrawal
    would make attacks more likely.

    Sharon is widely expected to win the parliamentary vote
    scheduled for Tuesday, with support from the main
    opposition Labour Party likely to offset a rebellion in his
    own party.

    Israel's Channel 2 television reported that the prime
    minister threatened to fire cabinet ministers who would
    vote against the plan. Sharon had already fired two
    ministers earlier this year who had opposed his proposal in
    a preliminary vote.

    Polls suggest most Israelis favour giving up the Gaza
    settlements, which they consider too costly in lives and
    money.

    Agitation by ultra-nationalists has prompted moderate
    rabbis to issue their own calls for soldiers to obey
    evacuation orders.

    Israeli Justice Minister Yosef Lapid told Reuters on
    Thursday they risked provoking civil war and could face
    prosecution.

    Palestinians believe the plan is a ruse by Sharon to
    retain West Bank land and violence has surged in Gaza.

    Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinian gunmen who
    infiltrated into Israel from northern Gaza. A soldier was
    also killed in a Hamas bomb attack near the Egyptian border.



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