Informant38

In keeping with tradition, Israel will never directly acknowledge that it had a hand in the assassination of the Hamas figure in Damascus Sunday

The assassination of a key Hamas operative in a foreign capital will likely lead to Hamas carrying through with its threat to change its policy and strike at Israeli and Jewish targets around the world.

Until now, the staunchly disciplined Hamas organization, while responsible for scores of suicide bombings and attacks, has limited its strikes to Israel and the territories.

Analysts believe that the Hamas Pandora's box is not empty and they do have the network and capability of launching deadly terrorist attacks abroad.

That said, analysts believe this was the risk worth taking at this present geopolitical moment. The tactical benefits of hitting Izz El-Deen Al-Sheik Khalil are marginal. But the psychological and strategic benefits are great.

Arieh O'Sullivan/JerusalemPost 26.Sep.04