Mashaal vows to avenge Dubai assassination

Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal on Friday threatened to avenge the assassination of senior organization member Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, warning that the circle of blood created by Hamas and Israel would not end.

Mashaal said following al-Mabhouh's burial in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, "We will get revenge for the blood of this great and pure man. The future will still see a battle between us and you."

The Hamas leader turned to Israel, which he said was responsible for the assassination, and said: "You are happy for assassinating a great person who courageously killed some of your soldiers, but this is an unusual and passing joy. We shall avenge al-Mabhouh's blood."

He added that "if you think we will abandon the option of resistance, you are being misled by illusions. Resistance is our choice, and the settlement, the occupation, the killing, the fences and the starvation will not weaken it."

A senior source in Dubai said Friday afternoon that local police had managed to identify the men suspected of assassinating al-Manhouh, who was responsible for the kidnapping and killing of Israel Defense Forces soldiers Aviv Sasportas and Ilan Saadon.

According to the official, the police were conducting a manhunt for the suspects, who he said have European passports, and had even appealed to the Interpol for help. He added, however, that the two had apparently left the emirate.

"The war between us will continue. You will kill us and we will kill you," Mashaal warned Israel. "You are fighting us based on false claims, and we are fighting you based on the truth. The war between us hurts us, but this is an open war that will not stop until you leave our land."

Mashaal said that the Palestinians did not know when they would defeat Israel, but that they were certain that victory would come eventually. "This is a painful war which has been going on for decades, but we are certain of its results, because we will defeat you and tear up your fake image.