JERUSALEM, May 22: Israel said on Tuesday it could target Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and that a Gaza ground offensive was possible unless world pressure was brought on the group to halt rocket fire.

The threat delayed a meeting between Haniyeh and President Mahmoud Abbas who arrived in Gaza to discuss maintaining law and order and perhaps resuming a Gaza truce with Israel.

A Fatah official said the uncertain security situation meant no time was yet set for the meeting. He added that a meeting between Hamas and Fatah officials to discuss similar issues was also called off because of Israel's threat against Hamas.

At least 49 Palestinians have been killed in fighting between Hamas and Fatah since they formed a unity government.

Asked if Hamas's Haniyeh was on Israel's hit-list, Deputy Defence Minister Ephraim Sneh said: “I'll put it like this – there is no one who is in the circle of commanders and leaders in Hamas who is immune from a strike.”

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official, said in response in Gaza: “Any harm to Prime Minister Haniyeh or any Hamas leader would mean a change in the rules of the game and the occupation (Israel) must be ready to pay an unprecedented price.”—Reuters