Hamas's candidate for Palestinian prime minister, Ismael Haniya, could become a target for assassination if he becomes involved in "acts of terror", Israel has warned.

Ehud Olmert, the acting Israeli prime minister, made the comments in an interview with the Jerusalem Post published on Friday.

"Whoever is involved personally and directly in terror is a target," the paper quoted him as saying.

"We haven't forgot that Haniya was an aide to Shaikh (Ahmed) Yassin and Yassin was targeted because he was involved in terror."

Olmert was responding to a question on whether he agreed with a statement from Israel's defence minister that Haniya was a legitimate military target for Israel.

"So if Haniya commits acts of terror, he is opening himself up to the possibility of being targeted. I hope he doesn't," Olmert added.

In a series of interviews in the countdown to Israel's 28 March general election, the acting premier made similar remarks in the Yediot Aharonot daily.

Olmert's ruling Kadima party, is widely tipped to win the upcoming vote and is keen to deflect any suggestion they are "soft on terrorism".

Threats

Yassin, the spiritual founder of Hamas, and Abdelaziz Rantissi, his successor as Hamas leader, were killed in Israeli air strikes in March and April 2004.

Haniya has been tasked by Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas to form a government following Hamas's surprise victory in a 25 January general election.

PHOTO CAPTION

Palestinian Prime Minister designate Ismail Haniya talks to reporters before a meeting with Abdallah Alhorane, the chief of national center for studies and documentation in Gaza City. (AFP)