West Bank - Israeli forces yesterday assassinated a Hamas commander accused of planning a string of deadly bombings only hours before Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs were to meet to assess their ailing truce.
The attack against Salah Darwazeh, who was killed when Israeli tank shells crashed into his car in the Palestinian-run town of Nablus, drew immediate threats of vengeance.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon's, spokesman, Mr Raanan Gissin, said Israel was facing a "major terror campaign" and would not be taking such action if the Palestinian Authority was arresting wanted militants.