L ORLD HE BATTALION 7A Monday, April 19, 2004 amas pledges bloody revenge or Israel’s assassination of leader By Lara Sukhtian THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas ireatened “100 unique reprisals” against Israel for killing its leader, Abdel Aziz bntisi, as hundreds of thousands of mourn- Irs flooded the streets Sunday in a show of [trength and fury. It wasn’t clear if the Islamic militant [roup was strong enough to carry out large- [cale attacks after a sustained two-year kraeli campaign against it. Despite promis- |s of revenge, Hamas still has not struck in tie three weeks since Israel assassinated ^antisi’s predecessor, Hamas founder Sheik Mimed Yassin. Hamas chose a replacement for Rantisi Sunday, but did not disclose his name — i clear sign at least that the group is on the lefensive in the face of Israeli attacks ahead [f Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s planned vithdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Sharon on Sunday picked up the support bf key Cabinet ministers for his unilateral dis- Jngagement plan, including the Gaza with drawal, assuring him of a Cabinet majority head of a hard-fought referendum among he 200,000 members of his Likud Party. Sharon told the Cabinet on Sunday that he would forge ahead with his plan and con- pnue to “hit the terror organizations and heir leaders.” Cabinet minister Gideon Ezra said the bverall Hamas leader, Damascus-based (haled Mashaal, was also a target. Rantisi vas in charge of the Palestinian areas and Militant group’s top leaders Hamas secretly appointed a new Gaza Strip chief but refused to reveal his identity following the assassination of Abdel Aziz Rantisi. Mahmoud Ismail Khaled Moussa Abu Zahar, 53 Hanieh, NA Mashaal, Marzook, ► Hamas ► Top aide to late 40s early 50s spokesman Yassin; ex ► Oversees Ha ► Mashaal’s and hard-liner pelled to Leb mas’ political bu deputy in the ► Hamas anon in 1992 reau from Dam political bu founder Sheik ► Member of ascus, Syria; reau Ahmed Hamas' deci expelled from ► U.S.- Yassin’s per sion-making Jordan in 1999 educated; de sonal physi political ► Helped nego tained by U.S. cian; group’s li bureau tiate a truce that authorities in aison with the ► Go- temporarily halt 1995 on suspi PLO in the mid- between with ed Palestinian cion of in 1990s the PA attacks on Israel volvement in ► Opposes ► Involved in ► Survived a terrorism compromise efforts to work poison dart at ► Expelled to with the PA out an ar tack in 1997 af Jordan, then ► Imprisoned rangement on ter Jordan’s king sent to Syria by Israel; jailed how to run coerced Israel repeatedly Gaza after an into sending an by the PA Israel pullback tidote SOURCE Associated Press reported to Mashaal. The killing of Rantisi set off demon strations — some of them violent — across Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in Arab countries. In the West Bank, Israeli troops shot and critically wounded a 14-year-old Palestinian boy in a clash between stone throwers and soldiers. Israel rebuffed international criticism, including by several European countries. It said Rantisi — like Yassin — was targeted because he directed bloody Hamas attacks NEWS IN BRIEF against Israelis and was planning more. However, many Palestinians held the United States responsible for Rantisi’s death, saying it is giving Israel free rein. “The Palestinian government considers this Israeli terrorist campaign to be a direct result of American encouragement and the total American bias in favor of the Israeli government,” said Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, echoing a widely held sentiment in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinian officials are furious with President Bush for sidelining them, endors ing Sharon’s unilateral plan and backing Israel’s demand to hang on to parts of the West Bank. Bush’s national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, denied that Bush gave Sharon the go-ahead for the Rantisi killing during their White House meeting last week. She told ABC TV that Israel has the right to defend itself, but that it is “extremely important that Israel take into consideration the consequences of anything that it does.” Mashaal said Sunday that the killing of Rantisi only strengthened his group and boosted support for it. However, a local leader in Gaza, Ismail Hanieh, acknowl edged Hamas suffered a momentary setback. Palestinian officials said they are worried the next target for assassination will be Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, whom Israel accuses of fomenting terror. The Israeli Cabinet voted last year to “remove” Arafat. In Sunday’s funeral, hundreds of thou sands of Palestinians thronged the streets of Gaza City. In addition to Rantisi, two body guards were killed. Class C ouncils Presents: The 67th Annual Ring D ance “A Night on the Town April 24, 2004 9 p.m. - 1a.m. Tickets available at tbe MSC Box Office For A Complete Listing of Senior Week Events Visit Classof2004. tamu.edu Sponsored by Tbe Association of Former Students, Rose Cottage Creations, David Gardner’s Jewelers and ATs Formal Wear. www.travelcuts.com police kill two men in Dallas shootout DALLAS (AP) — Two men, believed to be suspects in a Dallas slaying, were killed by police during a shootout overnight. Shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday officers were investigating the shooting path of a woman in Dallas. A witness described suspects in the shooting, |nd a patrol officer spotted the suspects’ car, a few blocks away, police said. 1 Officers approached the vehicle and a brief chase ensued, said Dallas Police Lt. Anthony Williams. The two men in the car got out of the vehi cle and exchanged gunfire with officers, he said. One man died at the scene, and the other man was taken to an area [lospital where he died. No officers were injured, Williams said. Police have placed three officers on procedural administrative leave, while the incident is being investigated. Police are investigating whether the suspects fired at the officers first, Williams said. Houston’s crash rate exceeds national average, Houston-Galveston study says HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston area far exceeds the national average in the number of serious traffic collisions, contributing to skyrocketing medical costs and giving Harris County the most expensive auto insur ance rates in Texas. County officials said one reason drivers in Harris County are at greater risk of collisions is because the area is growing faster than roads can be improved or patrolled. Now area drivers are even crash ing into the new MetroRail trains. 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