Washington, Mar 22: A senior US State Department official appealed for calm after the killing of the spiritual leader of the Islamic militant group Hamas in a predawn Israeli air strike today. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was killed as he left a mosque in Gaza City in an attack that killed at least three other people, the Israeli army said.
In Washington, a senior state department official called for restraint as Hamas supporters vowed revenge and took to the streets of Gaza City. ''We urge all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint,'' said the official, who asked not to be identified.
The official said the United States was looking into the circumstances surrounding the attack and that Washington was in touch with Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
Yassin, 67, was the highest profile figure to be assassinated in more than three years of violence since the collapse of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Bureau Report