SYRIA: FEAR OF ISRAELI ATTACKS PROMPTS HAMAS EXILES TO TAKE COVER

Damascus, 29 June (AKI) - Syrian-based Hamas officials fearing possible retalitory attacks from Israel for the abduction of an Israeli soldier in Gaza are moving between different safehouses and limiting the number of telephone calls made to conceal their whereabouts, a source said Thursday. Hamas' exiled leadership in Damascus, including political bureau chief, Khaled Mashaal who Israel has accused of masterminding the kidnapping, are "taking seriously" threats made by Israel that it would target them for assassination, the Hamas source told Adnkronos International (AKI).

On Wednesday Israeli security minister Avraham Ditcher decribed the Syrian-based Hamas leaders as "murderers" and said Israel may carry out "targeted killings" to eliminate them.

Israeli war planes have flown over Syrian president Basher al-Assad's residence, an apparent act of intimidation aimed at obtaining his co-operation in securing the release of Gilda Shalit, the 19-year-old soldier kidnapped on Sunday. Observers believe Assad could pressure the Hamas leaders to order militants linked to the movement in Gaza to free Shalit.