Rantissi succeeds Yassin as Hamas chief, Israel braced for reprisals
Hamas firebrand Abdelaziz Rantissi became head of the radical Islamist movement in the Palestinian territories, succeeding the assassinated Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, as Israel vowed to continue targeting militant leaders. Meanwhile, tensions flared on the Israeli border with Lebanon, with Israeli helicopter gunships firing on what the army said were “terrorists” preparing to fire a rocket. Lebanese police said one Palestinian was killed and another wounded in one of the attacks, in the Wadi al-Slouki valley. Shortly after news that he had been named as the new Hamas leader, Rantissi vowed that Israelis “will not know security” and called on the Hamas armed wing to “teach Israel a lesson.” Full Story