The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas) said on Tuesday that Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz's targeted killing threat to Palestinian prime minister-designate Ismail Haneya was terrorism.

"Mofaz statements represent a clear and formal terrorism," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told reporters in Gaza.

Vowing commitment to Palestinians people's rights and interests, Abu Zuhri said that Hamas would not be deterred by Israeli threats.

The Hamas spokesman made the remarks shortly after Mofaz said earlier in the day that Israel's policy of targeted killing has proven effective and would continue.

Mofaz said that if Hamas were to renew its attacks on Israel, Hamas leaders including Haneya would not be immune from the killings.

After Hamas won a parliamentary election in January with 74 seats in the new Palestinian legislature, Haneya was tasked by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Feb. 21 to form the next government within five weeks.

In the past two years, two Hamas leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdelaziz al-Rantissi were killed in Israeli targeted air strikes.

Source: Xinhua