TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of the Hamas movement, warned Israel Sunday it will pay a "high price" for its attempt to kill him.
The BBC reported Israeli security forces are on a heightened state of alert for revenge attacks by Palestinian militants following Israel's attempted air-strike assassination of Yassin Saturday in Gaza City. Yassin was slightly injured, and at least 14 other people were wounded, the BBC said.
Additional police and security personnel are in sensitive areas of Jerusalem, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been sealed to stop Palestinians from entering Israel.
In an interview Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded to the threats by saying the leaders of Hamas "are marked for death," CNN reported.
At least 11 Hamas militants and four bystanders have been killed in missile strikes in Gaza since Aug. 21.
Amid the growing tension, the United States said it remains committed to the Middle East peace plan despite the resignation Saturday of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the BBC said.
