Last month, Hamas' spirital and operational leader and it's founder, Yassin, was killed in a targeted strike by Israeli forces...killing him, his bodyguards and unfortunately several bystanders. While a good part of the world reacted as usual that it was "uncalled for", "he was only a religious leader" etc., it was part of the course for the 'selective outrage' mentality of Europe and the middle-east. (See my article on Yassin's death) To replace Yassin, Abdel Aziz Rantisi was 'selected' as Hamas new leader, who homself was another murderous bastard just like Yassin.
Rantisi, Hamas as well as other terrorist groups in the region gave the standard threats after Yassins death..saying Israeli's would never know peace and that Israeli blood would run red....(gee I guess all the other decades of violent talk ment nothing...cause this time they mean it..lol.) In the end little if anything was done except boisterous rhetoric...which may have factored into Israels thinking for other targeted attacks.
It was Saturday evening in Gaza when Rantisi was heading home in Gaza when Israeli missles struck his vehical...killing him, his son Mohammed and an unnamed bodyguard..the condition of Rantisis ,wife who was with him, was not known. Several bystanders were injured in the attacks. Rantisi made it to the hospital, but died a few minutes later. The general reaction in the region was almost predictable, as roughly 2,000 angry Palestinians marched through the streets carrying pieces of Rantisis car shouting .."Revenge!" (Go figure)
This was not the first time Israel attempted to kill Rantisi, the last time was in a June 10th strike in which several Israeli gunships fired missles at his car in a crowded Gaza throughfare...the car was destroyed but Rantisi escaped with wounds to his right leg. In retaliation for that attack, 16 Israelis were killed in Jerusalem the next day.
Israeli officials justified the current attack as part of the ongoing battle against militants who have killed more than 900 israelis over the past 3 1/2 years. Israel stepped up strikes on Hamas in advance of their unilateral pullout from Gaza and has vowed to kill the entire leadership of the Islamic militant organization. It's a decided shift in approach to show that the IDF can get anyone..anywhere.
Following Yassins death, Rantisi was defiant bout the threats against him saying, "We will all die one day. Nothing will change. If by Apache or cardiac arrest, I prefer Apache."
Rantisi's words were almost prophetic to say the least....well at least he got what he wanted...
His assaination shows one important thing....no matter who you are....suicide bomber or their cowardly leaders...you will pay eventually with your life... no one is beyond justice!
The rock group Queen said it best with their song, "Another One Bites the Dust"