Revenge Attacks Backed by Qurie

08/09/2004| IslamWeb

Retaliation by Hamas to Israel's killing of 14 of its fighters would be justified, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie said yesterday. "No crime goes unpunished," Qurie said at a meeting of the Palestinian cabinet. "For sure there will be retaliation, and the retaliation will be justified." Qurie's condemnation came as more than 30,000 Palestinians, including Hamas gunmen, joined a funeral procession for the 14 in Gaza City. The 14 were among scores of Hamas activists learning first-aid when Israeli helicopters attacked their training camp early yesterday. A Palestinian girl was also badly injured when troops opened fire at her school in the southern Gaza Strip. Also yesterday, Israel began releasing more than 130 Palestinian captives, all of them nearing the end of their terms and convicted for minor crimes. The release is the largest in more than seven months. A total of 137 prisoners were released yesterday and another 24 will be free today. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie (R) walks with Arun Gandhi (L) the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi during a protest against the controversial Israeli security barrier in East Jerusalem August 27, 2004. (REUTERS)