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Israel Targets Palestinian Terrorists in Gaza

(International Herald Tribune) Israel's Security Cabinet has approved a new campaign targeting Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, including leaders of the violent Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, an Israeli security official said. The new offensive would last several weeks and was meant to weaken militant groups ahead of a possible Israeli pullout from Gaza. Missiles fired from a helicopter in Gaza City Tuesday struck the house of "Islamic Jihad terrorists involved in attacks against Israelis,'' the Israeli military said. Islamic Jihad officials confirmed one of those killed was a member of the group. "Israel is compelled to take strong defensive measures against Hamas and Islamic Jihad because those two organizations decided to step up attacks against Israel,'' government spokesman Avi Pazner said. "We will do whatever is in our power to prevent these attacks and to neutralize the threat before it gets into the heart of Israel.'' In Washington, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said Israel was the victim of terror and had a right to defend itself, although it should be sensitive to the consequences of its military actions. (AP/New York Times) "We are going to put these terrorist groups under continuous pressure," said Raanan Gissin, a spokesman for Sharon. "The leaders of these terror organizations will have to spend their time hiding, not planning terror attacks." Israeli security officials believe Hamas has stepped up its attacks as part of a campaign to claim that it is forcing Israel out of Gaza.
2004-03-17 00:00:00
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