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| By israelinsider staff and partners April 25, 2008 |
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Two armed Israeli security guards were found shot to death at a factory in an industrial zone near the "green line" crossing point at Nitzanei Oz, about 8 miles due east of the Mediterranean coastline city of Netanya Friday morning. Nitzanei Oz is adjacent to the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Tulkarm, to where Israeli security officials believe the murderer(s) escaped after the shooting. A third security guard managed to flee the scene.
The two victims -- identified as Shimon Mizrachi, 53, of Bat Hefer, and Eli Muserman, 51, of Alfei Menashe -- were discovered around 7 AM Friday morning. The two were responsible for security checks of Palestinians arriving to the Industrial Zone from the West Bank.
The local Magen David Adom emergency services dispatcher received a report of gunshot injuries in the northern area of the town's industrial zone, nearest to the Arab town of Tulkarm in Samaria, which the Israeli government transferred to PA control within the framework of the Oslo Accords and to which Israel has recently provided Palestinian security forces with greater control.
The two were in charge of checking Palestinians arriving from the West Bank.
The Nitzanei Shalom Industrial Park was one of nine industrial zones established in 1995 under Rabin and Peres to help provide work for Arabs in Judea and Samaria. Currently seven factories remain, employing some 700 Arabs to produce cartons, plastic parts, exterminator sprays and other items.
When the paramedic crew reached on the scene, the crew found that the two victims were already dead. IDF forces entered Tulkarm to hunt for for the terrorists. Islamic Jihad later claimed responsibility for the attack, but then was joined by the Izz al-Din al-Kassam terror brigades of Hamas.
The expressed intent of the terrorists was to show that Gaza and the West Bank are inextricably linked and that they needed to be solved together.
Israeli military sources said the terrorists planned a mass murder at the factory in the city's Nitzanei Shalom [Buds of Peace] industrial zone. After murdering the two men, the terrorist(s) entered the building only to discover that no one was there, as all workers had left for the Passover holiday.
The organizations claimed that the attack was carried out by a terrorist wanted by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, who reported arrived at the Israeli Arab village of Qalansuwa disguised as a woman. Later on, the terrorist changed into worker's garments and advanced towards the factory, where he executed the attack "dedicated to Gaza's residents."
The Yesha Council (Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria) stated, "It is no coincidence that the attack occurred just a day after Israel announced its willingness to pardon more terrorists.... These concessions and gestures tell our enemies that terrorism pays ... Palestinian terrorism must be defeated, not negotiated with."
The attack seemed likely to further strain Israel and Palestinian negotiations since it followed the turning over of more security control to the PA in the cities of the West Bank and the removal of some 50 of internal checkpoints and roadblocks, and the withdrawal of IDF army units. Israel has said that its continued military presence in the territory is essential because Palestinian authorities are incapable of controlling terrorists.
"This was a clear example of extremism and terrorism by those seeking to foil any prospects for advancing peace between Israel and the Palestinians," government David Baker said.
Palestinian foreign minister Riad al-Malki condemned the attack, saying it was intended to undermine efforts by the Palestinian government to take on full security responsibilities. The attack was also meant to embarrass West Bank chieftain Mahmoud Abbas during his visit in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials, al-Malki said.
It was not the first terrorist murder in the area. On August 1, 2002, Shani Ladni, a truck driver who frequented the same industrial zone, was killed by Palestinians. That attack was enabled by the Defense Ministry's removal of a curfew around Tulkarm as a confidence-building gesture to the PA shortly beforehand. |
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