Israel assassinated Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Monday, striking its heaviest blow against the Palestinian Islamic militant group behind dozens of suicide bombings and provoking vows of massive revenge. About 200,000 mourners poured out their grief in a funeral procession, vowing to hit back at the Jewish state. Israeli security sources said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered and monitored the helicopter attack on the paralyzed cleric, whose wheelchair lay smashed in a pool of blood after three missiles exploded outside a Gaza mosque. Hamas, committed to Israel’s destruction, has killed hundreds of people in a decade of suicide attacks. But previous assassinations have triggered more bombings and deepened violence that has stalled U.S.-backed “Road Map” peace moves. Full Story