Sheik Ahmed Yassin

Witnesses said Israeli helicopters fired three missiles at Yassin and two bodyguards as they left a mosque in Gaza City, killing them instantly. Hamas officials confirmed that he had been killed. Four other people were killed and 12 wounded in the attack, witnesses said.

Yassin, a quadriplegic, founded Hamas in 1987. He was held in Israeli prisons for several years before being released in 1994.

Though Israel blamed Yassin for inspiring Hamas bombers and attackers who killed hundreds of Israelis, it had refrained from targeting him, fearing a firestorm of revenge attacks.

Announcing Yassin's death, the Hamas leadership said, "Sharon has opened the gates of hell, and nothing will stop us from cutting off his head," referring to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon."

The Japan Times Weekly: March 27, 2004
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