Hamas appoints successor to Rantisi

World Tribune ^ | 4.19.04

[hope]

Hamas appoints successor to Rantisi

Special to World Tribune.comMIDDLE EAST NEWSLINEMonday, April 19, 2004

GAZA CITY – Hamas has quietly appointed Mahmoud A-Zahar to head the movement in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas sources said Mahmoud A-Zahar, 53, was selected as the organization's new head in the Gaza Strip. A-Zahar succeeds Abdul Aziz Rantisi, who was assassinated in an Israeli missile strike on Saturday.

The appointment was decided by Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Masha'al, the sources said. Masha'al, based in Damascus, became the undisputed leader of Hamas over the past month in wake of the Israeli assassination of Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin.

Hamas, on orders from Masha'al, did not announce the appointment of A-Zahar. The sources said the appointment was kept secret to avoid another Israeli assassination attempt.

Like Rantisi, A-Zahar has been a physician and served as the personal doctor of Yassin. For the last month, A-Zaharin served as Rantisi's deputy.

A-Zahar, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in September 2003, was described as being different from Rantisi. A-Zahar was termed a moderate in Hamas who has raised the prospect of a 10-year ceasefire with Israel.

Hamas sources said A-Zahar was one of the few political leaders left in the movement. Most of the political leadership, with access to funding abroad, was killed by Israel over the last two years. They said military leader Mohammed Deif has been recruited into the political leadership to groom him to take over the organization.

Hamas has pledged to avenge the Israeli assassination of Rantisi.

Overnight Monday, Hamas gunners fired eight Kassam-class short-range missiles and Al Bana anti-tank missiles toward Israeli targets in the Gaza Strip and inside Israel. At least one Israeli was injured.

"Hamas might have a crisis on its hands after losing its leaders," Hamas spokesman Ismail Haniyeh, expected to become A-Zahar's deputy, said. "But it will not be defeated."

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Copyright © 2004 East West Services, Inc.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Life expectancy for Hamas Heads, is finally shorter than that of the homicide bombers they send out, after suicide bomber has pressed the detenator switch.

God is good! and I don't mean Allah.

[Alouette]

A-Zahar was termed a moderate in Hamas

This means he was willing to murder all the Jews over a 10-year period rather than all in one fell swoop.

All the same, it's nice to know the name of the new Dead Man Walking. That was the IDF doesn't need to stamp "To whom it may concern" on the Hellfire.

[winker]

Greasy lampshade material; NEXT!!!!!!

[Defender2]

Another Terrorist to be wasted. Also terrorist arafat(not capitolised on purpose) must be realizing his days are numbered as well.

[Cosmo]

I assume some intrepid Freeper plans on starting a Palestinian "Dead Pool" ping list.

[Tom Jefferson]

Nah. The Israelis won't do anything now. They will wait until the next Hamas suicide bomber blows up someone in Israel. Then they'll stir fry him.

[Sareln]

This is funny, here's another one, if they finally wise up and learn to keep their mouths shut, the Israelis will just have to start knocking off all leadership... it looks like the Israelis mean to finish the job this time, good for them.

[dirtbiker]

Line 'em up, knock 'em down.............another strike!!!!

[freedumb2003]

I wish I knew what time they call for prayers at the Mosques! Anyway, I have to think this will be a week from today.

Nice to know this clown's last word he hears in this world, before he is sent to the Hell he so richly deserves, will be "Incoming!"

[freedomlover]

Target identified, Sir.

[Ragirl]

[dirtbiker]

Nice to know this clown's last word he hears in this world, before he is sent to the Hell he so richly deserves, will be "Incoming!"

Funny, I was thinking more along the line of "HOLY SHEITE!!!"

[freedumb2003]

HOLY SHEITE

Thus undermining what Mom said about wearing a clean loincloth. ;)

[thoughtomator]

Hamas appoints successor to Rantisi... Target Acquisition commencing, please wait...

[peteram]

He was also presented with the Hamas leadership uniform with the really cool design onit:

[Mr. Mojo]

Killing Hamas heads is great, but it's time to up the ante and direct those Hellfires in Arafat's direction. The political left - in Europe, America, AND Israel - would go absolutely apesh/t, and it would be a beautiful sight to behold.

[dirtbiker]

Thus undermining what Mom said about wearing a clean loincloth. ;)

Any good Hamas Mom should always tell her children: "Wear clean undies! You might be in an Israeli missle attack!"

[CzarNicky]

Who is starting the Mahmoud A-Zahar dead pool?

[Paulus Invictus]

Lessee now, that's spelled MAHMOUD, right? Have to let the monument makers know soon so they can get to work on his grave marker.

[samadams2000]

Gee...why would you quietly appoint your next leader.?..unless you deep down feel dirty and cowardly. Thats right..you're all dirty cowards. You heard me.