Israel's killing of a wheelchair-bound Hamas leader last night, and the death of his neighbour, drew sharp Palestinian criticism today and threats of further reprisals.
But senior Israeli and Palestinian officials, who were due to continue talks today, agreed last night Israel would release more of the tax money it has been withholding from the Palestinians. Israel handed over one instalment recently.
In Gaza today, Hamas spokesman Mr Abdel Aziz Rantisi said last night's death of one of the group's leaders, Nasser Jerar, "will not pass without strong punishment".
Israeli forces knocked down Mr Jerar's house in the West Bank city of Jenin, and he was buried in the rubble, the army and residents said. The Israeli military said Jerar had continued his Hamas activities despite losing both legs and an arm while trying to plant a bomb in May 2001.
|
|
Mr Marwan Barghouti
|
The army said a neighbour was sent to tell him to surrender, but was hit by gunfire from inside the house and apparently killed. Then Israeli forces destroyed the house.
Palestinians alleged Israeli troops shot dead the 19-year-old neighbour, Nidal Abu Daraghmeh, and that he had been used as a "human shield".
The killings followed the start of the trial of a Palestinian official Israel holds responsible for much of the violence.
Both sides are turning the murder and terrorism case against Mr Marwan Barghouti, the West Bank leader of Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, into an indictment of the other.