GAZA CITY, 8 September 2004 — Israeli helicopters and warplanes fired missiles at a Hamas summer training camp yesterday, killing 14 people. The attack on the camp in the eastern neighborhood of Tufah in Gaza City was launched in predawn hours.
Tens of thousands of mourners joined the funeral march through Gaza City, calling for revenge. At least 30,000 people joined the funeral procession. “We will sacrifice our souls and blood for the martyrs,” the mourners chanted. Children stayed home from school and shops remained closed in a sign of mourning. Black smoke billowed over the city as students burned tires in spontaneous demonstrations.
“I’m sure there will be responses and such responses will be justified,” said Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, in an unusually strong response from a relative moderate.
All the 14 dead were members of the military wing of Hamas. A Hamas official said they were undergoing training when the missiles hit the camp.
The growing spiral of violence could further complicate Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw troops and settlers from the occupied Gaza Strip by the end of 2005.
Qorei said the strike undermined efforts to bring peace to the area, noting that it came a day after Egyptian officials visited the West Bank. Israel is planning to withdraw from Gaza next year, and Egypt has stepped in as a mediator to ensure security in the area after the pullout.
Israeli leaders have pledged harsh reprisals, including the resumption of a campaign to assassinate Hamas leaders, in response to the Beersheba bus bombings, the first attacks in the Jewish state in nearly six months.
Yesterday’s strike was Israel’s deadliest single blow against Hamas, though it has assassinated top faction leaders and frequently fought gunbattles with Hamas fighters. It was the highest single-day death toll in coastal Gaza since May 12, when Israeli troops killed 15 Palestinians in raids.
Tanks stationed at the border between Israel and Gaza opened a barrage of fire on Shijaia, a suburb of Gaza City, just after midnight. Warplanes and helicopters launched missiles.
Gaza’s main Shifa Hospital was overwhelmed by casualties, many of them fighters in camouflage with masks over their faces. More than 20 people, including several civilian bystanders, were hurt.
“We will strike against Hamas wherever we can find it,” said Raanan Gissin, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Reacting to the attack, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said: “We strongly condemn this strike that is unjustified. Israel is trying to block any progress aimed at reviving the peace process.”
In a separate incident in Gaza, Israeli troops fired at the Khan Younis refugee camp, critically injuring a 10-year-old girl who was walking home from school, Palestinian hospital officials said. Military officials said they had exchanged fire with Palestinian fighters in the area, but had no information on a girl being hit.
Meanwhile, Israel yesterday began the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners from three detention facilities to relieve overcrowding, the military said. The army said that all the prisoners were close to completing their terms.
Military officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the release would be completed within three days and said that none of the prisoners was convicted of killing Israelis.
Israel is holding about 7,500 Palestinian prisoners.
— Additional input from agencies
