JERUSALEM, Sept. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli intelligence chief Avi Dichter said on Sunday the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement(Hamas) still poses a major "terrorist" threat to Israel.

   Hamas is evolving from small cells of three or four people to a "people's army" with larger organizational components, he told the cabinet, adding the organization is currently concentrating its efforts on overcoming the fence surrounding the Gaza Strip.

   Hamas, which was declared illegal 15 years ago by the Jewish state, claimed responsibility for a twin suicide bus bombing attack on Aug. 31, which killed 16 and injured 100.

   Hamas said the suicide bombings was in revenge for Israel's targeted killings of its spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin and his successor Abdelaziz Rantissi early this year.

   Dichter said Israel succeeded in foiling a planned Hamas attack last week by apprehending eight Hamas activists who were on their way to Sinai from Gaza.

   He said these people were to carry out an attack against Israelis once they reached Sinai, where many Israelis went for Jewish new year holidays. Enditem