Britain calls on Israel to end 'targeted assassinations'

The British government has called on Israel to halt its policy of "targeted assassinations" following an attempt by the Israeli Defence Force to kill a Hamas leader on Tuesday.

Three people, including two bystanders, were killed during the helicopter strike in Gaza City. The number of wounded has been put at 27.

Hamas leader Abdul Aziz Al-Rantisi was lightly wounded, together with his son Ahmad, when his jeep was hit by seven missiles.

Today, Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said he was very "concerned" by the recent escalation in violence.

He added: "We have always recognised Israel's right to protect its own security, and the urgent need to tackle terrorism. And we condemn the terrorist actions of Hamas and other groups against Israel. But the extra-judicial killings or the assassinations of Palestinian militants undermine the prospect of a peaceful settlement.

"I regret the loss of civilian life in these attacks, and offer my sympathies to the relatives and friends of those killed and injured.

"I urge all parties to do all they can to prevent further bloodshed on both sides and give the road map a chance by taking forward the commitments made in Aqaba."

President George Bush has also condemned the action saying that he was "troubled" by the Israeli helicopter gunship attack. He also dismissed Israel's reasoning that targeted assassinations could improve security.

"I regret the loss of innocent life. I'm concerned that the attacks will make it more difficult for the Palestinian leadership to fight off terrorist attacks," he said.

"I also don't believe the attacks help the Israeli security. I've been in touch with all parties in the region. I am determined to keep the process on the road to peace… And I emphasize, all parties must behave responsibly to achieve that objective."

The helicopter attack is something of an embarrassment to the US administration after Mr Bush's press-the-flesh session at Aqaba, Jordan, last week with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. The summit was designed to copper-fasten the road map peace plan and was the showpiece for US-backed strategy.

The Palestinian Authority has also strongly condemned attack as a "premeditated operation to torpedo international efforts to reactivate the peace process".

The Palestinian Authority has suggested that the attack was related to today's visit by the head of the Egyptian intelligence, Omar Sulaiman, to Ramallah to mediate a truce agreement between the Abbas’ government and Hamas. And so scupper a move to bring about an end to the intifada.

(GMcG)