Hamas Leader Killed in Air Strike

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Monday. He was the founder and spiritual leader of Palestinian militant group, Hamas.

Hamas immediately pledged revenge, and the Israeli Military has been on high alert in preparation for potential attacks on Israel.

Witnesses reported that when Yassin returned from a mosque in Gaza City at daybreak, a few Israeli Apache helicopters fired three missiles at him. Three people including Yassin and his bodyguards were killed and twelve people were wounded in this strike.

Arabic satellite television Al-Jazeera and an Egyptian national broadcast broadcasted this event on the air across the Muslim world, and Hamas shouted for retaliation against Israel. “There can be no life for Zionists all over the world. We decided to take a catastrophic revenge for this great cause,” announced the leadership of a Hamas-affiliated militant group.

Under such circumstances, Israel army blocked the entire area ranging from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip to hold back Palestine’s attacks and ensure security.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over current crisis. “All sides should remain calm and show restraint,” the U.S. State Department urged.

Young-Sik Kim spear@donga.com