Palestinians vow retaliation

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia condemned an Israeli airstrike that killed 14 Hamas militants in unusually harsh terms Tuesday, warning the attack will invite a tough response from the militant group and saying retaliation will be “justified.”

The Israeli attack, which struck a Hamas training camp in Gaza City shortly after midnight, came a week after Hamas suicide bombers blew up two Israeli buses in the Israeli city of Beersheba, killing 16 people.

The airstrike was one of the deadliest of dozens Israel has launched since fighting broke out with the Palestinians four years ago. Thousands of Palestinian mourners in Gaza clamored for revenge, and Hamas vowed to avenge the attack.

Qureia, speaking at a Palestinian Cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said he was outraged.

“No crime goes unpunished,” he said. “For sure there will be retaliation, and the retaliation will be justified if it happens.”

While Palestinian leaders always criticize Israeli attacks, Qureia’s reaction was especially harsh, hinting that he would tolerate a Hamas reprisal. In the past, Qureia has distanced himself from Hamas, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings.

Qureia’s comments appeared to reflect the Palestinian public’s anger over the airstrike. But a government minister said Qureia also was frustrated by his general sense of powerlessness.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has repeatedly blocked efforts to reform the corruption-plagued Palestinian Authority, while Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon refuses to negotiate with the Palestinians.

The Israeli helicopters struck the Hamas camp with five missiles early Tuesday, killing 14 militants and wounding 30 other people. The army said the camp, located in the Hamas stronghold of Shajaiyeh in Gaza City, was used to train militants to fire mortars and rockets.

The attack sparked an outpouring of rage. Children stayed home from school, and black smoke billowed over the city as students burned tires in spontaneous demonstrations. About 30,000 people, including dozens of militants, joined a funeral procession. As men fired machine guns into the air, the crowd screamed for revenge.

Early today, about 25 Israeli tanks moved into the northern part of the Gaza Strip, witnesses said. The tanks approached the town of Beit Hanoun and the large Jebaliya refugee camp. Two attack helicopters flew overhead, firing flares that lighted the night sky.

No gunfire or casualties were reported.

Associated Press

Palestinians march Tuesday in Gaza City during the funeral for 14 militants killed in an Israeli airstrike.

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