Hamas threat fuels fears of attacks on U.S. interests
From the Wolf Blitzer Reports staff
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Even though United States and Israeli officials insist Washington had no advance notice of plans to assassinate Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed, those assurances faced heavy skepticism in the Arab world.
Hamas claims the operation had the consent of what it calls the terrorist American administration, and added that America must take responsibility.
It was a rare Hamas threat against the United States, and it fueled fears of terror attacks against U.S. targets.
CNN's national security analyst Ken Robinson said, "There's a potential that the United States government interests abroad are going to be targeted by Hamas specifically in retribution for this assassination. Everything from tourists to our embassies and consulates are a direct target." U.S. officials say any threat against the United States is taken seriously, both abroad and at home.
For now, the department of homeland security's threat advisory remains at a mid-level "yellow" alert.
