Militant chief survives another hit in Gaza

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

Gaza - A militant leader survived an Israeli missile strike on his car in Gaza on Thursday in Israel's first assassination attempt in the Palestinian territories since Yasser Arafat died in a Paris hospital.

In a resurgence of violence in occupied Gaza that threatened to complicate efforts to instil calm for a Palestinian presidential poll, Israeli aircraft also struck and destroyed a trailer outside another militant's home.

An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed an air strike in the town of Beit Lahiya. She said the target made and stored munitions.

Jamal Abu Samhadana, head of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), an umbrella organisation of militant factions, was slightly wounded in the first attack along with two aides. His group vowed a "painful and earthquake-like" response.

"The senior operative (targeted in the strike) was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks," the army said.

Abu Samhadana told Al Jazeera television the attempt on his life would escalate the Palestinian struggle against Israel.

"Assassination attempts, even if they succeed, won't weaken the resistance, but will only strengthen it. We will continue fighting until we liberate all Palestinian land," he said.

Israel had promised to restrain its military operations in the West Bank and Gaza as long as calm prevailed during the run-up to the January 9 Palestinian poll to replace Arafat.

But Sharon, who had reserved the right to strike at "ticking bombs", can ill afford to look soft on the Palestinians as he tries to win over hardliners in his own party for a planned Gaza withdrawal they have condemned as a "reward for terror".

His rightist Likud's central committee voted on Thursday to let him negotiate a unity coalition with centre-left Labour that would avoid early elections and pave the way for the evacuation of Gaza settlements next year.

The United States called on Israel to "avoid actions that escalate tension".

"We understand Israel's need to defend itself from attacks, but Israel should consider the consequences of its actions," said a US State Department spokesperson. "We urge all parties, especially at this moment of opportunity for progress, to remain focused on measures to bring an end to violence and terror."

Thursday's strike on Abu Samhadana was Israel's first targeting a top-level militant chief since Arafat's death on November 11. An Israeli army statement blamed Abu Samhadana for "numerous terrorist attacks".

Several Palestinians were also lightly hurt in the strike on the trailer near the home of a commander of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the town of Beit Lahiya, residents said.

Palestinian cabinet member Saeb Erekat said the "continuation of assassination attempts" undermines efforts to revive peace talks.

The strikes came amid efforts by moderate former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the leading presidential candidate, to coax militants into halting suicide bombings and other attacks.

The PRC, which includes members of Islamic groups sworn to the Jewish state's destruction, has staged numerous attacks on Israeli soldiers and settlers during a four-year-old Palestinian revolt. Among its high-profile operations were the blowing up of three Israeli battle tanks, which killed seven crewmen.

In Thursday's air strike between the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, the militants jumped from their car seconds before the missile launched from an unmanned drone aircraft overhead destroyed the vehicle, witnesses said.

"God willing, we will always be in the trench of resistance," said Abu Samhadana, his head bandaged as he lay on a hospital stretcher.

It was the second time in four months that Abu Samhadana, 40, had survived an Israeli attempt to kill him. He escaped a missile strike on his car in August.

The PRC, with the militant Islamic Jihad group and the Abu Rish Brigades, claimed responsibility for killing three Israeli soldiers in a Gaza Jewish settlement in September.

Palestinian security sources had blamed the PRC for a bombing last year that killed three US security men in a diplomatic convoy passing through Gaza. It denied involvement.

Four members of the group were detained as suspects but were later acquitted by a Palestinian court. Three escaped prison earlier this year after Arafat froze the court's ruling.