Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz threatened on Monday to take severe steps against the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) if it releases Palestinian financial strongman Fuad Shubaki and the assassins of former Israeli minister Rehavam Zeevi.

Mofaz issued the statement as Hamas planned to reach an agreement with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine ( PFLP) over the release of the jailed men from their Jericho prison.

"The release of Subaki and Zeevi's murderers will entail severe Israeli reaction," Mofaz said. "This is a blatant violation of the agreement between Israel and the Palestinian (National) Authority and we will not let this pass," he said.

"Palestinian (National )Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas must intervene immediately to stop this," Shaul Mofaz added.

Last week the PNA was reported to have released some 50 low- profile prisoners from the Jericho prison following Hamas's landslide victory in the parliamentary elections.

Former Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi was assassinated in October 2001 by the radical PFLP in retaliation for Israel's killing of its leader Mustafa Zibri.

Israel also believed that Shubaki, once Arafat's economic adviser, was responsible for funding suicide attacks against Israelis. Israel accused him of arranging the funds for the purchase of the weapons seized on the Karin A ship in the Red Sea early in January 2002.

Source: Xinhua