Hundred of thousands of Gaza residents, many of them in tears, poured into the streets after Hamas announced the death of the quadriplegic Yassin over mosque loudspeakers. .

Hamas vowed revenge against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon personally.

Witnesses said the U.S. made helicopters fired three missiles at Yassin and two bodyguards as they left the mosque, killing them instantly. He was carried around in a special car that could accommodate his wheelchair.

The assassination of Yassin, according to Palestinians and Hamas sources will result of a revenge killing of hundred of Israelis, as happened when Israel assassinated Yehya Ayyash. Also, it shows Israel failure to subjugate the Palestinians who are under an occupation for the last 50 years. "The killing of Yassin shows the evil spirit of man, a handicapped man being killed in cold blood at the hand of Israelis is against all norms and morals. Israel by assassinating Sheik Yassin opened the door of hell to its existence and settlers. This people (jews) killed Jesus Christ, if today they killed Sheik Ahmed Yassin that is not strange or new news. Sheik Yassin is in Heaven, and their dead are in hell." A Hamas spokesman said immediately after the Assassination. A total of seven people were killed and 15 were wounded in the attack, witnesses said.

Since the uprising for Independence started three years ago Israel have killed over 3000 Palestinians and wounded thousands others. Hundred of homes were demolished and innocent Palestinians left homeless. This tragedy against the Palestinians is being carried out while the United Nations in deep sleep or paralyzed to take action because of the unfair U.S. veto allowing Israel to murder thousands of Palestinians.

In announcing Yassin's death, Hamas said, "(Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon has opened the gates of hell , and Sharon will be targeted personally.''

Ambulances and fire trucks raced to the scene with sirens wailing, and rescue workers gathered up the shattered bodies.

Outside the morgue at Shifa Hospital, Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh, a close associate of Yassin, had tears in his eyes as he confirmed Yassin's death and pledged revenge.

"This is the moment Sheik Yassin dreamed about,'' Haniyeh said. ``Sheik Yassin lived and died and offered his life to Palestine. Sheik Yassin was a hero and a fighter and the leader of a nation, and he is in heaven now.''

Yassin founded Hamas at the start of the first Palestinian intifadeh, or uprising, in 1987, with the aim of liberating Palestine from the Israeli occupation.

The Bush administration, in away to please Israel lists Hamas as a terrorist group.

Yassin lived in a modest house in the rundown Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City. Israel, which blamed him for inspiring Hamas bombers and attackers who killed hundreds of Israelis, tried unsuccessfully to kill him in a September missile strike that injured 16 people.

Past Israeli governments were reluctant to target Yassin, fearing a firestorm of revenge attacks.

PS: The assassination and murder of Sheik Ahmed Yassin, a handicapped, paralyzed, unarmed, civilian man deserves a war crime investigation and tribunal of the person or persons that order his killing.

Note: European Jews occupy a large part of Palestine since 1948.

The Crusaders occupied Jerusalem / Palestine for about 150 years before they were driven out.

Brief Profile of Sheik Ahmed Yassin

Sheik Ahmed Yassin was born on January 1, 1938 in what is today the Israeli occupied coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon. His Palestinian passport listed his date of birth as Jan. 1, 1938.

1948: Yassin family uprooted in creation of the state of Israel. Yassin grows up in Gaza refugee camps. At age 12 is paralyzed in sporting accident. Married with 11 children.

1987: Yassin founds Hamas from ranks of Muslim Brotherhood religious organization. Hamas opposes peace talks with Israel on the principle that Israel is illegitimate entity and has no right the Palestinian land.

1989: Yassin arrested in mass roundup of nearly 200 Hamas members. Sentenced to life in prison for ordering attacks on Israeli soldiers and on Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel. The quadriplegic Yassin suffers from various illnesses in jail, including chronic bronchitis and eye and ear infections.

1997: Israel frees Yassin in exchange for two agents from Israel's Mossad spy agency held by Jordan after botched attempt on life of another Hamas leader there.

2000: The second Palestinian uprising begins, Sheik Yassin is in the center stage as the spiritual leader of Hamas.

March 22, 2004: Israel assassinate Sheik Yassin with three missiles launched from a U.S. made helicopter, instantly killing Sheik Yassin, and three companions as he leaves a mosque after completing his morning prayers.

Posted: 03/22/2004