Zionist Troops Kill Jihad Leader in Hebron

14/08/2003| IslamWeb

A local Islamic Jihad leader was killed by Zionist troops in a firefight Thursday, prompting threats of revenge by the militant group and placing further strain on an already shaky cease-fire. Palestinian witnesses said the Israeli soldiers fired an anti-tank missile into the building, setting it ablaze and bringing down walls. Military bulldozers then demolished the ruins and they saw a body retrieved from the rubble. Sheikh Bassam Sadi, leader of Islamic Jihad in the West Bank confirmed Sidr's death and promised revenge. "I assure our people that this crime in Hebron will not go unpunished," he said. Ariel Sharon and Mofaz have renewed their criticism of Arafat since Tuesday's bombings, which killed two Israelis and wounded 11, saying he is trying to undermine Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Israelis and Palestinians have traded charges of blame since Tuesday's bombings, each accusing the other of not meeting their commitments under the "road map" peace plan. A high-ranking delegation from Egypt was expected to meet with Palestinian Islamic groups in the Gaza Strip this week to try to persuade them to maintain the truce. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Palestinians search the debris of the demolished family home of Palestinian bomber Khamis Jarwan after the Israeli army destroyed it in the Askar refugee camp near the West Bank city of Nablus August 13, 2003.