GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip ? Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia condemned an Israeli airstrike that killed 14 Hamas militants in unusually harsh terms Tuesday, warning the attack would invite a tough response from the militant group and saying retaliation would be “justified.”

Palestinian officials said Qureia’s comments reflected his people’s outrage as well as his impatience with the political paralysis within the Palestinian Authority. They said Qureia told Cabinet ministers he was so frustrated he wants to resign.

The Israeli attack, which struck a Hamas training camp in Gaza City shortly after midnight, came a week after Hamas suicide bombers blew up two Israeli buses in the Israeli city of Beersheba, killing 16 people.

But Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said late Tuesday that the attack was not Israeli retaliation.

“The action against Hamas was not revenge for the horrible murder in Beersheba,” he told a party gathering in Jerusalem, “rather, part of our continuous war against terrorism which we will not end until terrorism is stopped.”

Early today, about 25 Israeli tanks moved into northern Gaza, an area where militants fire rockets at Israeli towns just outside Gaza. No clashes were reported. Israeli military sources said a limited operation was under way.

The airstrike was one of the deadliest of dozens Israel has launched since fighting broke out with the Palestinians four years ago. Thousands of Palestinian mourners in Gaza clamored for revenge, and Hamas vowed to avenge the attack.

Qureia, speaking at a Palestinian Cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said he was outraged.

“No crime goes unpunished,” he said. “For sure there will be retaliation, and the retaliation will be justified if it happens.”

Palestinian mourners shout as they carry the body of one of the 14 Hamas militants killed in an Israeli missile strike, during a group funeral, along the streets of Gaza City. Israeli helicopters Tuesday attacked a Hamas training field in Gaza City.

While Palestinian leaders always criticize Israeli attacks, Qureia’s reaction was especially harsh, hinting that he would tolerate a Hamas reprisal. In the past, Qureia has distanced himself from Hamas, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings.

Qureia’s comments appeared to reflect the Palestinian public’s anger over the airstrike. But a government minister said Qureia also was frustrated by his general sense of powerlessness.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has repeatedly blocked efforts to reform the corruption-plagued Palestinian Authority, while Sharon refuses to negotiate with the Palestinians.

“We as a Cabinet are not able to do anything,” the minister quoted Qureia as saying. “I am going to Arafat. I will tell him we can’t work like this,” Qureia said, waving a resignation letter in front of them.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Qureia would follow through on the threat. He has made similar threats in the past — and briefly stepped down in July — only to back down under pressure from Arafat.