Abdel Aziz Rantisi

But it remained unclear whether the Islamic militant group can carry out large-scale attacks. It has failed to do so in the four weeks since Israel assassinated Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin.

Rantisi's car was hit by two missiles April 17, about a block from his house in the Sheik Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City. Two of his bodyguards were also killed in the helicopter attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said April 18 that he would keep hunting down Hamas militant leaders while pushing forward with his plan to evacuate all of Gaza Strip and some West Bank settlements.

Palestinian officials said they are worried the next target will be Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, whom Israel accuses of fomenting terror. The Israeli Cabinet voted last year to "remove" Arafat.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 24, 2004
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