GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip ? Hamas will not disarm or accept a truce with Israel, the leader of the militant group said Wednesday in his first public appearance since Israeli forces tried to kill him with an air strike.

The announcement by Sheik Ahmed Yassin undercuts efforts by the incoming Palestinian prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, to negotiate a cease-fire with Israel without confronting the militants.

Yassin, who spoke at a mosque near his Gaza City home, also lashed out at the United States, saying President Bush “declared war on Islam” and that America will be defeated by Muslims.

A unilateral cease-fire declared by Hamas and other militants on June 29 collapsed in a burst of violence after several weeks of relative calm.

Meanwhile, a group of 27 Israeli reserve air force pilots, signed a petition stating that they would no longer agree to carry out air strikes against Palestinians, calling the attacks illegal and immoral.

The air force commander, Maj. Gen. Dan Halutz, denounced the petition, an unprecedented protest from pilots, and accused those who signed it of meddling in politics.

Dozens of reserve soldiers in ground forces have opted to go to prison rather than serve in the West Bank and Gaza, reflecting growing Israeli unease with the protracted conflict.

In a news conference, Yassin said Hamas would not agree to a truce with Israel.

“There is no place to talk about a truce because the enemy is continuing his aggression, killing and settlement activities,” Yassin said. He added: “He who carries a bomb and blows himself up” is destined for paradise, referring to suicide attackers who have killed hundreds of Israelis.

The comments were a rebuff to the new Palestinian prime minister, Qureia, who could have trouble carrying out his agenda without Hamas cooperation.

Like predecessor Mahmoud Abbas, the incoming prime minister has said a truce is a top priority and a prerequisite for progress on the U.S.-backed “road map” to peace and the formation of a Palestinian state in 2005.

Qureia has complained in recent days about the “chaos of weapons” in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but has not said how he would collect illegal arms, as the road map requires.