June 23, 2003	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 22,1424

RAMALLAH, June 22: Israeli soldiers shot to death the leader of the Hamas movement’s military wing on Saturday night in Al Khalil, residents reported.

Abdallah Qawasmi, number one on Israel’s list of wanted militants, was shot after evening prayers as he came out of the Ansar mosque in the city, the residents said.

They said an Israeli special unit had surrounded the mosque after receiving intelligence information on his whereabouts.

Israeli military sources said it had been their intention to arrest Qawasmi, but he resisted and tried to escape.

A Hamas source in Al Khalil, however, charged it was a targeted killing and warned that Qawasmi’s death would have consequences on Hamas’ decision of whether to accept a ceasefire.

A Hamas leaflet Sunday promised revenge “that will make the Zionists regret their acts and operations”.

KILLED: Israeli soldiers killed overnight a Palestinian spotted approaching a fence surrounding the settlement of Morag in the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported on Sunday morning.

Soldiers said the man was acting “suspiciously” and was carrying a knapsack on his back.

TICKING BOMB: Israel threatened on Sunday more attacks on Palestinians it regards as “ticking bombs” on the eve of an international meeting in Jordan to try to save a battered peace plan.

Tit-for-tat violence, including Israeli track-and-kill operations that have also caused civilian casualties, has thrown into turmoil a US-backed “roadmap” to peace affirmed by Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at a June 4 summit.—Reuters/dpa