GAZA, April 18, 2004, (WAFA)- Gloom, mourn and general strike overwhelmed the Occupied Palestinian Territories in protest against the Israeli assassination of the political leader of Hamas Dr. Abdelaziz al-Rantisi.... An eerie silence controlled the whole Palestinian cities, mixed with rallies of anger and indignation.... More than three million Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have expressed anger and mourn.. Serene and strange silence took hold of the lively and brisk cities. Black clouds rose in the sky as several youth burnt car tyres, expressing their anger and fury.... Hundreds of Thousands of workers and farmers did not leave their houses feeling sad for the loss of the charismatic leader of Hamas.... Students of Universities and schools participated in marches through the streets of various cities, chanting slogans denouncing the Israeli state terrorism.... In Ramallah, a minivan carrying a loudspeaker was driving into the streets chanting slogans calling for ending the Israeli occupation.... Thousands of people gathered in the al-Manara square in the downtown of Ramallah raising Palestine flags, banners and placards, calling for ending such crimes against the Palestinian people and their leaders.... "We are protesting against the crime of killing Rantisi, as well as the per- menace of the Israeli occupation, it must end, it must end, where is the so- called International Community?" Ahmed Hussein told WAFA while he was raising a black flag.... Black flags were raised on the houses of Ramallah. Stores, markets workshops and shops closed down.... "Israeli crimes can not prevent us from resisting Israeli terror and occupation. We are determined to obtain our freedom and to have our legal, political and human rights restored", a student from Birzeit University, clad in black, told WAFA. She added that the Israeli crimes will only lead to reinforcement of Palestinian resistance.... Quranic verses were recited from mosques. The lively city of Ramallah has been paralyzed because of its anguish for the loss al- Rantissi.... In the city of Gaza, hundreds of thousand marching through the main streets of the city shouting slogans against Sharon's heinous crimes.... The demonstrators gathered in the city centre Palestine square headed to Rantisi's house, expressing solidarity with the family.... Men, women and teens participated in the marches repeating the same angry slogan all over the OPT. They denounced the Israeli crime and called on the International community to protect the Palestinian people and to end the Israeli occupation.... "This is not the first crime, it is a deliberate policy, it must be stopped, the International community must end this tragic situation of the Palestinian people," Mai Walid, 24-year-old girl told WAFA reporter.... Dr Rantisi and two of his bodyguards were murdered Saturday night when Israeli US made helicopters struck his car with missiles reducing it into a scorched scrap heap....