Israeli army ordered to 'wipe out' Hamas

ABC News ^ | June 12, 2003 | None stated

[CobaltBlue]

Israeli army radio reports the army has been ordered to 'completely wipe out' the Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas, a day after a suicide bomber killed 16 people on a Jerusalem bus.

Israeli helicopters killed nine Palestinians in strikes on militants after the bombing, leaving the US-backed peace "roadmap" in tatters.

Israeli Internal Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi says no Hamas leader is safe.

The army order, which directs the military to use "whatever means necessary," was issued following a meeting of Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz with the army's top command shortly after the attack.

It is directed not only at the infrastructure of the organisation, but at its leadership, with everyone, "from the lowliest member to Sheikh Ahmad Yassin," a Hamas founder and its spiritual guide, as a legitimate target.

The latest round of killings and retaliations began on Tuesday, when Israeli helicopter gunships fired missiles at the car of Hamas' political leader, Abdul Aziz Rantissi, in a failed bid to kill him.

Mr Rantissi, who was lightly wounded in that attack, promised bloody revenge, which led to the bombing in Jerusalem.

It was claimed by Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades.

The Israeli Cabinet has met to consider how to respond to that attack, amid reports that ministers will again raise the question of expelling Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from the territories.

[Recovering_Democrat]

GREAT NEWS!

[Bikers4Bush]

Good, now they just have to follow through and not let this become mere lip service.

[kesg]

Israeli army radio reports the army has been ordered to 'completely wipe out' the Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas, a day after a suicide bomber killed 16 people on a Jerusalem bus.

It's about time! It is starting to look like everyone has finally figured out the obvious: nothing good is going to happen there until Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the region are terminated with extreme prejudice.

[backhoe]

About dam' time. Enough is enough.

[jjm2111]

Good!

[bedolido]

I hope it's true!

[HELLRAISER II]

SICK'EM Boy's, kick their proverbial terrorist @sses!

[smith288]

An honest question. What tookt hem so long???

[gridlock]

I don't believe it for a second. I wish this were true, however.

[The Wizard]

arafart is on this list I assume

[Coop]

I pray they're quick and successful in this endeavor, and that innocent casualties are at a minimum.

[joesnuffy]

Oh really then that means Arafat is dead?

[Coop]

arafart is on this list I assume

Israel said Arafat would not be killed because PM Sharon promised President Bush he would not be harmed. All others are fair game.

[finnman69]

Bring out the bulldozers. They should flatten the neighborhoods and towns wherethese scum hide. Literally turn it into a parking lot.

[TheRightGuy]

arafart is on this list I assume

ace of spades ... you can bet on it

[vikingcelt]

Why would Sharon promise Bush that Arafat would not be killed? He should have been killed long, long ago. If anyone needs killing, it's him

[grobdriver]

Israeli army radio reports the army has been ordered to 'completely wipe out' the Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas

Git 'em.

[stumpy]

Just drop a couple of 2000 lb bombs on each of their terrorist parades a.ka. "funeral" processions.