Israel kills top Hamas rocket maker in Gaza strike

1.00pm

GAZA - Israel has killed the top bomb and rocket maker of the Hamas Islamic militant group in a Gaza air strike, days before a key parliamentary vote on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to quit the occupied strip.

The assassination of Adnan al-Ghoul, near the top of Israel's most wanted list since 1987, dealt a major blow to Hamas and could 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 was number two in the Hamas military wing and had survived several previous assassination attempts, including a bid to poison him with a 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.

As well as being the top bomb maker for Hamas, he 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.

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".

POLITICAL TENSION

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.


- REUTERS