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Journalism of Courage
An Israeli helicopter fired a missile into the empty office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday in an apparent signal the Hamas leader could be targeted unless militants release an abducted soldier.
The air strike was part of a military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has been coupled with statements from Israeli leaders that no one in the Hamas-led government should believe he was immune from attack.
8216;8216;We will strike anyone who harms the citizens of Israel. No one will go unpunished,8217;8217; Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his cabinet in broadcast remarks, without mentioning Haniyeh by name.
Haniyeh was not in the office at the time of the strike, witnesses said. He arrived quickly to survey the damage to find shattered furniture and windows, and a portrait of late President Yasser Arafat blown off the wall.
8216;8216;This is the policy of the jungle and arrogance,8217;8217; said Haniyeh. 8216;8216;Nothing will affect our spirit and nothing will affect our steadfastness,8217;8217; he added.
One Hamas member was killed in a second attack on an office used by forces loyal to the Islamic militant group, whose charter calls for Israel8217;s destruction. A third strike hit a Hamas school, but there were no casualties.
Israel, which pulled out of the Gaza Strip last year, sent troops and tanks into the south of the territory on Wednesday after Palestinian gunmen, some from the armed wing of Hamas, seized Corporal Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid a week ago.
Nidal al-Mughrabi
