DAMASCUS/GAZA, March 25: Hamas's political leader Khaled Meshaal warned all Israelis, from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to ordinary people, that they will not be safe from attack until Israel abandons occupied land.

Mr Meshaal stepped up earlier vows the Palestinian militant group would target Mr Sharon to avenge Israel's assassination of its founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in a missile strike outside a Gaza City mosque on Monday.

In his warning to all Israelis, Mr Meshaal told Reuters in a telephone interview on Wednesday: "There will be no safety so long as there is occupation. If they want safety they should leave." He said Israelis could not win the conflict. -AFP / Reuters