Israeli airstrike kills senior Hamas leader (MSNBC Spin calls Hamas leader "Victim")

MSNBC ^ | Updated: 7:41 p.m. ET Oct. 21, 2004 | MSNBC News Services

[Nachum]

Victim identified as second-in-command of group’s military wing

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - An Israeli aircraft fired two missiles at a car traveling in the Gaza Strip late Thursday, killing a senior Hamas commander who was among the government’s most-wanted fugitives for years — the latest in a series of Israeli assassinations that have weakened the militant group.

The man, Adnan al-Ghoul, a founder and the No. 2 figure of Hamas’ military wing, was killed along with a second unidentified occupant in the car. The airstrike dealt another heavy blow to Hamas’ military wing, Izzedine al Qassam, which is responsible for attacks that have killed hundreds of Israelis during four years of fighting.

“It’s a new crime committed by the Zionist occupation government against one of the leaders of the Palestinian resistance,” said Musher al-Masri, a spokesman for Hamas, which is formally known as the Islamic Resistance Movement. “Hamas retaliation will be painful, and the Zionist enemy will regret this awful crime.”

[Nachum]

Victim? How about "Terrorist".

[EQAndyBuzz]

"“Hamas retaliation will be painful, and the Zionist enemy will regret this awful crime.”"

Two words, Bite me.

[nuconvert]

GOOD WORK!

[KantianBurke]

I find it amazing how effective wiping out terror chiefs as a strategy is. Why wasn't this done years ago?

[hiredhand]

Victim="Unarmed, and bound...soon thereafter beheaded on film, for the world to see."

Target of Opportunity="Murderous, Islamic Extremist at the receiving end of ordinance delivery, courtesy of the IDF!"

Nice shooting, IDF!

[b4its2late]

How about "Terrorist".

You know that, I know that and they know that. The trouble is, they'll never admit to knowing it.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Nice job. Every one Israel eliminates is one that the USA doesn't have to worry about.

[Popman]

I find it amazing how effective wiping out terror chiefs as a strategy is. Why wasn't this done years ago?

Three words: William Jefferson Clinton

[Nachum]

Why wasn't this done years ago?

I guess it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.

[Alouette]

AP Headline: Israel Missile Strike Kills Hamas Leader

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - An Israeli aircraft fired two missiles at a vehicle traveling in the Gaza Strip late Thursday, killing two people including a senior Hamas member at the top of Israel's most-wanted list, a spokesman for the militant group said.

Adnan al-Ghoul, the No. 2 figure in the group's military wing, died in the attack, said Hamas spokesman Musher al-Masri.

"It's a new crime committed by the Zionist occupation government against one of the leaders of the Palestinian resistance," al-Masri said.

The army had no immediate comment.

The Hamas military wing, Izzedine al Qassam, plans and carries out attacks on Israelis. Al-Ghoul's killing leaves the Hamas military leadership exclusively in the hands of Mohammed Deif, its longtime chief.

Both men topped Israel's wanted list and operated from hiding for years. Each escaped a September 2003 airstrike aimed at a gathering of the Hamas leadership in Gaza City.

The attack took place north of Gaza City as dozens of people were leaving a nearby mosque after evening prayers.

Following the airstrike, hundreds of people, including firefighters and security forces, gathered around the white Mitsubishi as ambulances rushed to the scene. The crowd chanted anti-Israel slogans and screamed for revenge.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat condemned the killing, which he said "reflects the determination of the Israeli government to continue the path of military solutions rather than negotiations."

Adnan al-Ghoul, just perfect for Halloween.

I ask all FReepers to pray for the safety of my son in the IDF, who is on duty in the Jordan Valley.

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel ping list.

WARNING: This is a high volume ping list

[crazyhorse691]

Resorting to violence never settled anything. You need to have a sensitive talk with the whole world and sing "Cum Bya whatever". Nuke em first and you have plenty time to sing.

[MisterRepublican]

Way to go! Israel!

[Boundless]

> Why wasn't this done years ago?

Intel, technology, will; perhaps in reverse order.

Israel needed to decide to deploy such a tactic,
then need to have precision-strike, low-collateral weapons,
but mostly, it needed to be able ID the targets, and
know where they are, so that isolated strikes can happen.

How they know: who, where, when - is likely to be one of
the future's great stories. I doubt that the full secrets
will be revealed until islamofacism joins the Thuggee Cult
in the graveyard of completely and totally dead ideological
movements.

[MEG33]

Good hunting!

[katykelly]

Prayers for your son and family.

My son is a Marine in Iraq.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Woooohooo, go Israel! Hamas retaliation? Why am I picturing that one scene in Monty Python's Holy Grail?

[Pointblank]

I had the honor of visiting Israel in 1999. For the people who have never been, it is truly an oasis in the desert. The people of Israel have worked very hard to irrigate farmland and replant forests and reverse the damage of years of neglect by the curs who are claiming rights to this land now. As a Christian, I have NO doubt that the blessings God has bestowed on America is only the result of our nations support of Israel.
Alouette, I will pray for your son, and the nation of Israel, that the good Lord will soften the hearts of their enemies and bring peace to Israel.

[night reader]

“It’s a new crime committed by the Zionist occupation government against one of the leaders of the Palestinian resistance,” said Musher al-Masri, a spokesman for Hamas...

So when do they take out Musher al-Masri?

[Capriole]

What a beautiful boy. You must be enormously proud. I hope that one day my own son, now ten, grows to be as strong and brave a man as yours is. You certainly have our prayers; my little boy will be delighted to pray for a young soldier of Israel. From one mother to another, God's blessings on you and your boy.

[Tabi Katz]

Israel's only crime is letting Arafart and his henchmen live. They "condemn" terrorism out of one side of the mouth, all the while winking the opposite eye. Then they have the nerve to accuse Israel of failing to negotiate? Makes me sick to my stomach.