Israeli Cabinet minister Gideon Ezra said Mashaal -- the overall Hamas leader who Israel tried unsuccessfully to kill in the past -- was also marked for death.
"The fate of Khaled Mashaal is the fate of Rantisi. The minute we have the operational opportunity we will do this," Ezra said.
The Bush administration declined to criticize Rantisi's killing, saying instead that Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and urging Palestinians to use restraint in responding.
"The United States strongly urges Israel to consider carefully the consequences of its actions," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said
Arab officials and Muslim leaders called the assassination "state terrorism" that proved Israel was intent on sabotaging peace hopes and suggested American support for such killings, an accusation Israel and the US denied. Earlier in the week, a taped message attributed to Osama bin Laden vowed revenge against America for the Israeli killing of Yassin.
Israeli security forces went on high alert after Rantisi was killed, fearing reprisal bombings. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the killing as a "brutal assassination."
Black smoke from burning tires billowed over Gaza and fresh graffiti promising fierce revenge decorated the walls of the crowded coastal strip. Streets remained empty and stores shuttered as Gazans marked the first of a three-day mourning period for Rantisi. Children stayed home from school.
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