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"The Holy See joins the international community in condemning an act of violence that cannot be justified in any state of law. The choice of arms, resorting to terrorism on one side and reprisals on the other, humiliating the adversary, and hateful propaganda lead nowhere," the Pope's spokesman said.

France said that the Israeli action was contrary to international law and would "feed the spiral of violence".

EU ministers, in a joint statement, also spoke out against the attack as did the governments of Japan and South Africa.

But Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, was unrepentant. He said that his armed forces had wiped out the Palestinians' "chief terrorist" and he congratulated those troops who carried out the attack.

"The state of Israel this morning hit the leader of the Palestinian assassins and terrorists," Mr Sharon said in a brief address to members of his right-wing Likud party.

"The guiding ideology of this man was the assassination and murder of Jews wherever they were and the destruction of the state of Israel.

"I need to stress that the war against terrorism is not over. It will continue on a daily basis and everywhere. This is a tough battle in which all the countries in the free world should understand they need to take part. Attacking those who threaten to suppress it is the natural right of the Jewish people and any nation wishing to survive."

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels said that Israel's action had inflamed anger in the region and would only further hinder Middle East peace efforts.

"The EU recognises Israel's right to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks. Israel is entitled to do this under international law. Israel is not, however, entitled to carry out extra-judicial killings," they said in a joint statement.

"The assassination which has just been carried out has inflamed the situation."

Condoleezza Rice, the US national security adviser, stopped short of condemning the killing when she appeared on American television this morning.

She also said that the US did not have advance notice of the assassination. Hamas has vowed to also take revenge on the US for the attack.