INTERNATIONAL 04.19.2006 Wednesday - ISTANBUL 12:27
Tel Aviv Attack to Cause more Pressure on HAMAS
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Wednesday, April 19, 2006
zaman.com
Israel blamed the Palestine government led by HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) for the deaths of 10 people in Monday’s attacks in Tel Aviv; however, the Israeli military has not yet been directed to attack HAMAS leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert summoned the government on Tuesday to determine a response to Monday’s bloodletting. No decision to launch a counterattack against the heads of this Palestinian armed organization was taken.
A decree, however, read that some HAMAS deputies are no longer eligible to hold residence permits for East Jerusalem.
Later that night, more than 20 Palestinians were arrested as Israeli security forces raided various locations in the West Bank.
Despite HAMAS recognizing the attack as an act of self-defense, it is unlikely to prevent the Palestinian authority from coming under increasing international pressure.
The US administration threatens HAMAS with increased isolation from the international community, while Japan, this week took the decision to cutoff financial aid to Palestine.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul phoned his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni to send a message of regret for all that has happened.
