Israel Threatens to Kill Hamas Leader
An Israeli minister has called for the assassination of the Hamas leader, describing it as the only way to halt rocket-firings from the Gaza Strip.
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Housing and Construction Minister Ze'ev Boim said Wednesday that the next step in operations against Hamas, the democratically-elected ruler of the Gaza Strip, must be aimed at assassinating Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.
Boim, of the ruling Kadima party, said although killing Haniya would bring about international criticism; it will bring "peace to Israeli communities."
Tel Aviv launched Operation Cast Lead against Gaza on December 27 to topple Hamas and halt its rocket-firing on Israeli towns, which according to the movement is a response to Tel Aviv's 19-month-old siege of the densely-populated area.
However Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire on January 18, after failing to achieve its goals which included the destruction of Hamas' military might. The resistance movement announced a separate ceasefire shortly afterward.
More than 1,330 Palestinians were killed and nearly 5,500 others were wounded in Israel's three-week-long seaborne aerial and ground attack on the coastal sliver.
Boim's hardline remarks, which seem to be part of Kadima's efforts to improve its image ahead of the upcoming elections, came while Hamas says it has been committed to the ceasefire.
After both sides announce ceasefire several rockets have been fired into Israel in response to Tel Aviv's breaches of the truce. The responsibility for the rocket-firings was mostly claimed by groups not affiliated to Hamas.
Last week, Israel's Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz also threatened to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders during Kadima's election campaign in Sderot.
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