After a week of intense rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Israel warned Palestinian militants and leaders Monday that anyone involved in launching missiles at Israeli territory could be a target for assassination.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was taking no chances, and evacuated his office building while nervously glancing over his shoulder and went into hiding for fear of being targeted by Israel, a source in his staff, who requested anonymity, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. There was no reply at his office when dpa tried to call. | "Liebchen, we just want to make sure you're okay!" |
Israel Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the Israeli military was preparing for a 'large-scale operation' in the Gaza Strip to foil the rocket attacks, but was also preparing other courses of action. But he warned that ending the rocket fire would not be a quick task.
However, a key party in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's coalition said Monday evening that it would bolt from the government if peace talks with the Palestinians progressed while the rocket fire continued. |