Israel to target 'terrorists' in Hamas-led government

Israel has threatenedto target any Hamas minister or official it believed was involved in violence against the Jewish state. A senior military commander also disclosed that his troops were making contingency plans to reoccupy the Gaza Strip if Palestinian militants continued firing rockets across the border.

"Beware all those who are ministers in the Hamas government and are involved in terrorist activity against Israel. We will punish them," said Ra'anan Gissin, a spokesman for Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister-designate. "They will have no immunity just because they are members of the government or hold a position under it. They will be treated just like any other terrorist."

Israel's latest sabre-rattling was provoked by Hamas' appointment on Thursday ofone of the most wanted Palestinian gunman, Jamal Abu Samhadana, to head a new security force. Israel tried to assassinate him in 2004.

Mr Abu Samhadana, 43, commanded the umbrella Popular Resistance Committees in the Gaza Strip. "I will continue to hold the rifle and will pull the trigger whenever required to defend my people," he said. Israel, which tried to assassinate him in 2004, accuses him of ordering ordered many attacks since the intifada broke out in 2000.

The Hamas initiative has exacerbated the power struggle between the new and old guard in Palestinian politics. Tayeb Abdel-Rahim, a spokesman for the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said that he would cancel the Abu Samhadana appointment as "illegal". Mr Abbas had earlier nominated a security chief from his own Fatah.

A senior Israeli commander, Major General Yoav Galant, warned that Israel was seriously considering a large-scale land operation in the Gaza Strip ifcurrent levels of violence were maintained.