GAZA CITY — Israel has assassinated a leading Hamas security
official in the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli aircraft fired missiles that killed PA Interior Ministry
director-general Jamal Abu Samhadana. Abu Samhadana, who survived at least
three previous Israeli assassination attempts, and three others were killed
near the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah on late Thursday.
"This Israeli crime is a result of the silence and the European and
American approval for the enemy to continue his aggression against the
Palestinian people," PA Information Minister Yusef Rizka said. "This, in
addition to the siege being maintained against the Palestinian people."
Abu Samhadana was said to have headed the Israeli list of Palestinian
fugitives. Israeli officials said he was responsible for many of the missile
strikes against Israel over the last year.
In May, Abu Samhadana was appointed director-general of the
Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry. He continued to serve as commander of
the Popular Resistance Committees, aligned to Hamas.
Israeli military sources said an Israeli aircraft fired toward the PRC's
training camp outside Rafah. The sources said PRC operatives had been
training to infiltrate Israel and attack Jewish communities.
Earlier, Israel said Hamas has resumed missile strikes against the
Jewish state. Officials said the military determined that Kassam-class
missiles fired into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip were produced and
launched by Hamas operatives.
On Friday, Palestinian gunners, amid PRC vows to retaliate for Abu
Samhadana's death, renewed missile fire on Israel. At least two missiles
landed around the Israeli city of Sderot.
