The armed wing of Hamas vowed Friday to "avenge as soon as possible" the killing of one of its members in an Israeli helicopter strike in central Gaza.
"Our mujahedeen (Jihad fighters) will avenge our martyr as soon as possible to ensure that the Zionists pay the price," a statement from the Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades said. The group also called on its fighters "to take maximum precautions against enemy helicopters which are flying over Gaza."
Late Thursday, an Israeli air attack killed a Hamas activist with a missile directed at a donkey cart he was riding in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian witnesses and medics said.
They identified the man as Hamdi al Kalakh, 25, an operative in the military wing of Hamas, and added three other Palestinians were wounded in the attack in the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis.
Israel Radio said al Kalakh was responsible for rocket attacks on Israel.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hinted there will be a tough response if rocket attacks persist, saying he instructed Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz to take "all necessary steps" to stop the shelling.
Sharon said Hamas was trying to hit on Thursday a power plant just south of the Israeli town of Ashkelon, located some 10 kilometers from the Gaza Strip. The rockets caused little damage, but Israel considers them a strategic threat. (Albawaba.com)
