Israel orders thoroughgoing war on Hamas, pounds Gaza

By: Ahmad Hammadi

JERUSALEM: The Israeli government has given green light to the army to “completely wipe out” Hamas using “whatever means necessary” and targeting from the lowliest member to the group’s founder and its spiritual guide Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.

This was reported by army radio on Thursday, a day after a suicide bomber killed 30 people and injured nearly 100 on a bus in central Jerusalem.

The order was issued following a meeting of Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz with the army's top command shortly after the attack.

Separately, at least three Palestinians were martyred and dozens wounded when Israeli helicopters fired missiles Thursday at a car in a Gaza City neighborhood known as a Hamas stronghold.

Meanwhile, 22-member Arab League blamed Israel for escalation of Middle East violence saying: “Israel is once again dragging the region into an infernal cycle of tit-for-tat violence.”

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