Top Hamas terrorist Izz al-Din al-Sheikh was killed in a car bomb in Syria on Sunday.
While not confirming nor denying involvement in Khalil's death, Israeli officials said he was involved in the transfer of arms from Syria and Lebanon to Hamas hands in the Palestinian territories. Security sources said Khalil, while not as well-known as Hamas political figures, was very closely linked to Hamas cells in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They also said he gave the orders for the double suicide bombing attack in Beersheba on August 31 that killed 16 Israelis. Izzadin Kassam, Hamas's armed wing, vowed to avenge Khalil by attacking Israeli targets overseas, the group said in a statement issued in the Gaza Strip.
"We have allowed hundreds of thousands of Zionists to travel and move in capitals around the world in order not to be the party that shifts the struggle overseas. But the Zionist enemy has done so and should bear the consequences of its actions," said the statement, a copy of which was faxed to the pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera, which broadcast the message.
The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin has a comprehensive report on Syrian terror enablement.
Since the mid-1990's Damascus has been the operational headquarters of the Hamas military wing and a nexus for the transfer of external funds to Hamas operatives in the territories. Syria and Syrian-occupied Lebanon have become major conduits for funneling weapons and explosives to Hamas and safe havens for training hundreds of its operatives... most of the deadly Hamas suicide attacks [of 2001-2] have been linked to Damascus.
Visit HonestReporting for a special report that provides a great overview of Syria's involvement in terror.
Ive heard theres a production fault with Mercedes gas tanks in Syria. Too bad really. Losing people in their prime like that.
Posted by: Richard | September 27, 2004 at 16:25
I thought you were being sarcastic and having a go at Israel there for killing a murderer. Then I checked out your Way South site and realised that I must be wrong :)
With a post like this I'm definitely wrong.
Nice site
Posted by: Jodi | September 27, 2004 at 20:43
Hamas -- an organization recognized around the world for its brutal terrorism - has perpetrated over 425 attacks that have killed more than 377 Israelis and wounded more than 2076 in approx four years of violence.
Posted by: Smooth | September 28, 2004 at 00:13
And yet in South Africa they are supported as Freedom fighters and deemed the equivalent of the ANC.
Posted by: Jodi | September 28, 2004 at 07:32