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Palestinians Mourn Killed Hamas Leader
Aired August 22, 2003 - 15:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush today froze the assets of six top Hamas leaders and five European-based groups he says raised money for the Palestinian radical group. Mr. Bush took that action after Hamas claimed responsibility for Tuesday's suicide bomb attack in Israel that killed 20 people.
In Gaza, meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians mourned the death of a senior Hamas leader killed by an Israeli missile strike.
CNN's Michael Holmes is in Gaza City.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tens of thousands of Palestinians poured onto the hot, narrow streets of Gaza City to join in the funeral procession for Ismail Abu Shanab, the Hamas leader killed in an Israeli missile strike on Thursday, along with two of his bodyguards.
He is seen by many Palestinians and independent observers as something of a moderate voice within the Hamas organization. But, to Israel, he was involved in terrorism. He had blood on his hands, according to Israeli government spokesmen, and indeed had been involved in the planning and execution of the suicide bus bombing that occurred in west Jerusalem earlier in the week and which led to his death on the streets of Gaza.
All militant groups were represented, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. They were all in the procession, as it carried for four hours from the hospital morgues to the family home to a mosque. During the procession, there was gunfire in the air, a traditional Palestinian action during such funeral processions, and there was plenty of anger. The loudspeakers on tops of vans were urging Hamas supporters to join in the fight against Israel.
With the cease-fire now dead, people in Israel are on high alert, security services and ordinary civilians as well. And here in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is also on alert, fearing another strike at its leadership. Israel says the Palestinian Authority did not act. It will not hesitate to do so.
Michael Holmes, CNN, Gaza City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 22, 2003 - 15:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush today froze the assets of six top Hamas leaders and five European-based groups he says raised money for the Palestinian radical group. Mr. Bush took that action after Hamas claimed responsibility for Tuesday's suicide bomb attack in Israel that killed 20 people.
In Gaza, meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians mourned the death of a senior Hamas leader killed by an Israeli missile strike.
CNN's Michael Holmes is in Gaza City.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tens of thousands of Palestinians poured onto the hot, narrow streets of Gaza City to join in the funeral procession for Ismail Abu Shanab, the Hamas leader killed in an Israeli missile strike on Thursday, along with two of his bodyguards.
He is seen by many Palestinians and independent observers as something of a moderate voice within the Hamas organization. But, to Israel, he was involved in terrorism. He had blood on his hands, according to Israeli government spokesmen, and indeed had been involved in the planning and execution of the suicide bus bombing that occurred in west Jerusalem earlier in the week and which led to his death on the streets of Gaza.
All militant groups were represented, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. They were all in the procession, as it carried for four hours from the hospital morgues to the family home to a mosque. During the procession, there was gunfire in the air, a traditional Palestinian action during such funeral processions, and there was plenty of anger. The loudspeakers on tops of vans were urging Hamas supporters to join in the fight against Israel.
With the cease-fire now dead, people in Israel are on high alert, security services and ordinary civilians as well. And here in the Gaza Strip, Hamas is also on alert, fearing another strike at its leadership. Israel says the Palestinian Authority did not act. It will not hesitate to do so.
Michael Holmes, CNN, Gaza City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
