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By Martin Chulov
The Australian
Saturday 01 July 2006
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Israel last night threatened to assassinate Palestinian Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh if Hamas militants did not
release a captured Israeli soldier unharmed.
The unprecedented warning was delivered to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a letter as Israel debated a deal
offered by Hamas to free Corporal Gilad Shalit.
It came as Israeli military officials readied a second invasion force for a huge offensive into Gaza.
Hamas's Gaza-based political leaders, including Mr Haniyeh, had already gone into hiding.
But last night's direct threat to kill Mr Haniyeh, a democratically elected head of state, sharply raised the stakes.
The bid to free Corporal Shalit was brokered by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who last night warned Hamas it faced
severe consequences if it did not curb its "extreme stance" and described the growing conflict as a lightning rod for
Palestinian vengeance.
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