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Israeli Airstrike Hits Hamas Compound in Gaza NewsMax.com Wires GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- An Israeli airstrike destroyed a Hamas compound in central Gaza City on Thursday, killing one and wounding at least 45 people, Palestinian witnesses and medical officials said. The strike came a day after 22 Palestinians were killed across Gaza City in the most widespread factional fighting in nearly a year between Hamas and Fatah. The raging street battles have turned the densely populated seaside city into a war zone, putting terrified civilians increasingly at risk. The army confirmed it carried out the airstrike, which came after Israel threatened "harsh" action in response to repeated Palestinian rocket attacks. The explosion sent heavy plumes of smoke into the Gaza sky, completely destroying the structure and several others around it and sending terrified residents scurrying. Hamas said the target was an administration building of its elite bodyguards unit. The two-story structure is normally filled with Hamas personnel. In a text message sent to reporters, Hamas military wing spokesman Abu Obaida vowed revenge against Israel, possibly by suicide bombing. "The Zionist enemy are launching an open war against Hamas. Therefore, reprisal options are open, including self-sacrifice operations," he said. "We advise the Zionist settlers to go immediately to the basement of their residence because our rockets will not spare any of them." Story Continues Below
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas postponed a planned visit to the Gaza Strip after the latest violence in the area, officials said. "The reason for the trip is to stop the fighting," presidential aide Saeb Erekat said, adding Abbas was determined to travel to Gaza in the next day or two. Abbas, of Fatah, had been scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas to try to halt the factional fighting. Officials in Abbas' office said the trip would be delayed by at least a day, but gave no firm time for his visit. Some factional fighting continued Thursday, but it was not as intense as Wednesday's violence, when masked gunmen took over otherwise deserted streets and trapped frightened residents in their homes. So far this week, 49 Palestinians have been killed in the factional fighting. Gunfire erupted at a Hamas funeral procession, killing two people and wounding 14, Palestinian medical officials said. It was unclear who fired the bullets. Hamas said one of its men was kidnapped and executed by security forces loyal to Fatah. The funeral was for two Hamas fighters killed Wednesday. Witnesses said members of the procession were firing their weapons into the air - a common practice at Palestinian funerals - when unknown assailants began shooting at them. Fatah and Hamas officials accused each other of violating the latest cease-fire announced late Wednesday. The violence has left the fragile Palestinian unity government in tatters, although Fatah and Hamas leaders have said they hope to preserve the coalition. A main goal of the alliance, formed in March, was to halt months of factional violence. But the unity deal never addressed a key area of dispute - control over Palestinian security forces. Jordan's King Abdullah II said he was "very concerned" by the inter-Palestinian fighting and warned that more violence will follow unless progress is made in the peace process. "I'm very concerned about the violence in Gaza. It must stop for the sake of the Palestinian people and for the sake of Palestine," Abdullah told a gathering of Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian peace activists.
© 2007 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Editor's note: Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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