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Israeli missile kills two hamas leader escapes Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=afAZFFzica9k&refer=ushttp://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=afAZFFzica9k&refer=us
Hamas Leader Al-Rantissi Escapes Israeli Missile; Two Killed
June 10 (Bloomberg) -- The political leader of the armed Palestinian group Hamas, Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi, escaped an Israeli missile attack on his convoy in the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio said.
Al-Rantissi heard Israeli helicopters closing in and jumped out of his car, the radio said. He received injuries that aren't life-threatening, the station said. His son also was hit, Qatar- based al-Jazeera television said in a live report from the scene. Two bystanders, a woman and her child were killed.
Al-Rantissi, 55, had been in negotiations with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas over a cease-fire requested by Abbas as a step toward peace under the U.S.-led ``road map'' that would give the Palestinians statehood and the Israelis security by 2005.
Israel's attack is ``a clear provocation and clear attempt to derail the `road map' and puts the Palestinian Authority in a very difficult position,'' Palestine Liberation Organization legal adviser Michael Tarazi said in a telephone interview from the West Bank town of Ramallah. ``It's certainly going to be very difficult convincing Palestinian extremists that they should restrain themselves while the Israelis are attacking Palestinians.''
The Israeli military said it had no comment on reports of the attack.
A Hamas gunman was joined by armed men from Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade Sunday in a joint operation by the main Palestinian armed groups that killed four Israeli soldiers at the Erez checkpoint in the Gaza Strip. The killings were the first in which Israelis were targeted since Wednesday's peace summit in Jordan at which Abbas urged an end to the uprising against Israel.
Summit
Abbas said the attack wouldn't deter him from seeking peace, while ruling out the use of force to curb attacks on Israelis. The summit, attended by President George W. Bush to promote the U.S.-led peace plan, included a pledge by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to dismantle Jewish settlements on the West Bank that weren't authorized by Israel. Nine of the outposts were dismantled overnight.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they welcome Abbas's intention to restart talks with the armed groups, AFP said. Hamas broke off the talks Thursday after Abbas condemned attacks on Israelis. Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar yesterday said the group still refuses to accept Abbas's ``skepticism about our intentions.''
Sharon urged members of his Likud party on Sunday to support peace moves, saying most Israelis back the plan. He was heckled by opponents of the plan when he addressed the convention in Jerusalem. He reiterated his condition that attacks on Israelis must end before any move toward peace.
``We will not give anything as long as the terror, violence and incitement continues,'' Sharon said in remarks broadcast on Israel's Channel 1 television. ``But we will be prepared to make painful concessions, very painful concessions, for real peace and security.''
Last Updated: June 10, 2003 05:48 EDT
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