A prominent Hamas leader in the West Bank city of Jenin, Nazih Abu Sbaa, 25, was assassinated Israeli security forces Saturday afternoon when the car he was driving in expolded. According to Palestinian sources, an Israeli helicopter was in the sky at the time of the blast, but no missile was launched.
Palestinian Authority security officials said that Israel was responsible for the attack.
Witnesses said Abu Sbaa was parking his car near a vegetable market in Jenin when it exploded. Children playing nearby were injured in the blast and taken to hospital.
Thousands of Palestinians gathered at the scene, many chanting "revenge, revenge." Abu Sbaa's body was placed on a stretcher and carried through the street.
Meanwhile in Gaza Strip, three Palestinians were killed Saturday, and a fouth was critically injured when Israeli troops backed with tanks, military vehicles and bulldozers raided Al Bureij camp south to Gaza City, firing against dozens of the camp residents. Two of the killed were identified as Hassan Al Sakran 18, and Masoud Abu Jalal 16.
In other developments on Saturday, Israeli troops moved into Zeitun area in Gaza city, destroying the Palestinian military intelligence headquarters, Palestinian security sources told WAFA.
In a statement late Friday, the Palestinian leadership condemned the latest Israeli military aggression, saying it would "only lead to more violence, lack of security and more anger." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
