GAZA: Palestinians bury five Hamas militants killed by Israeli missile strike

Thousands of Palestinians in funeral procession for five Hamas militants killed in an Israeli missile strike as masked members of the Islamist group vow to avenge the deaths. Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Khan Younis in Gaza on Saturday (December 1) for the funeral procession for five Hamas militants killed in an Israeli missile strike that morning, while Hamas fighters vowed revenge for the deaths. Gunmen fired into the air as the bodies, wrapped in Hamas flags, were carried by mourners through the streets. A masked gunman of Izz al-Din al-Qassam, Hamas's armed wing, vowed revenge. "We will come and face the enemy from locations that the enemy does not account for or expect, God willing. The celebration of the enemy would not last long by looking at our innocent martyrs, but the enemy should get ready to pave the way for their black funerals," Abu Ubaida told journalists in Khan Younis. An Israeli army spokesman confirmed there had been an air strike against militants in Gaza earlier on Saturday, near the town of Khan Younis. The Islamist Hamas movement said five of its fighters were killed and at least two militants wounded in the strike. The Israeli army has stepped up attacks against militants in the coastal territory since Hamas ousted forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in fierce fighting in June and seized control of the Gaza Strip. The army says it carries out attacks against militants to try to stop them from firing rockets at southern Israeli towns.

ITN Source | December 1, 2007

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