(10 Jan 1997) Natural Sound

Supporters of Hamas attended a mass rally in Nablus today, to mark the anniversary of the killing of Yehiya Ayyash.

Ayyash was a Hamas bomb maker, whose murder incensed the hard-line Palestinian group, and provoked a series of revenge attacks.

Thousands of Hamas supporters shouted for vengeance at the memorial rally for the Muslim militant bomb maker.

Hamas still blames Israel for last year's assassination of Yehiya Ayyash.

More than 15,000 people, many waving Palestinian or green Islamic flags, called for attacks against Israel in songs that declared: "The Palestinian land is thirsty for blood."

"We want a big attack," chanted the crowd.

Ayyash's father, Abdel Latif Ayyash, was greeted with cheers when he raised his 3 year old grandson, Bara, in the air.

The rally came a day after twin bomb blasts in Tel Aviv injured 13 people.

Israeli police suspect Palestinian militants, but say they have no leads.

No group has claimed responsibility, and Hamas speakers didn't refer to the bombings during Friday's rally.

The gathering also came on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a time of increased religious fervour.

The Hamas bomb maker, Yehiya Ayyash, masterminded a series of explosions that killed dozens of Israelis.

He was killed by a rigged mobile phone on Jan. 5, 1996.

Hamas blamed Israel for the murder and carried out four suicide bombings in February and March 1996, killing 63 people.

The group has threatened fresh attacks to mark the anniversary of his death.

Speakers at the rally said Hamas would target the 145,000 Jewish settlers who live in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Palestinian police officers, who in the past have taken part or been present to safeguard such meetings, were absent on Friday.

The Palestinian Authority attempted to detach themselves from the rally by asking local TV stations not to run any advertisements.

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