Moqtada al-Sadr, the anti-American cleric, called on the Iraqi resistance today to carry out “revenge operations” against US targets in Iraq in protest at the military offensive by Israel on Gaza.

"I ask the Iraqi resistance to engage in revenge operations against the United States, the biggest partner of the Zionist enemy," the Shia cleric, who is believed to be in Iran, said in a statement issued by his office in the holy city of Najaf.

He also urged all countries with Israeli embassies to close down these missions in a show of support for the Palestinian people. And he asked Iraqis to place Palestinian flags on the roofs of all buildings, mosques and churches to demonstrate their support “for the mujahedeen in Gaza".

The US State Department dismissed the message, describing it as "outrageous”.

“Any call for attacks against Americans is outrageous and, frankly, not worthy of much more comment,” said Robert Wood, deputy State Department spokesman.

A spokesman for the cleric said the words were not intended for all members of the Mahdi Army, a militia loyal to Hojatoleslam al-Sadr which has been turned into more of a social services network. Instead, he said, the call was to members of a special unit of fighters that has been maintained.

The cleric has long opposed the US-led military presence in Iraq, launching two uprising against US forces in the past six year. Its political wing was also against a security deal between Baghdad and Washington that was signed last year.

Israel says it launched the air and ground attack on Gaza to end rocketing by the Islamic militant group Hamas that has traumatized southern Israel.

The US shares Israel's concerns about Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization. But the Bush administration said today that there is an urgent need to secure a lasting cease-fire that will end ongoing violence in the area.

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