Hamas threatens to attack US targets in the Middle East

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Wednesday November 8, 2006

Gaza- The governing Palestinian Hamas movement Wednesday called on Arabs and Muslims to attack US targets in the Middle East in response to Israel's deadly artillery strike in northern Gaza. "The US provides political and logistical cover for the crimes committed by the Zionist occupation and it must be blamed for the Beit Hanoun massacres," the group's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement.

The statement called on Arabs and Muslims to "teach the American enemy merciless lessons they will not forget."

Palestinian observers said it was the first time Hamas called for attacks against US targets, pointing out the Islamic militant group, which has lead the Palestinian government since March, has in the past often said its battle was with Israel only.

At least 19 Palestinians were killed and 40 injured when three artillery shells struck houses on the eastern outskirts of the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun early Wednesday, in Israel's single deadliest strike on civilians in the past six years of Israeli- Palestinian fighting.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency