 |
 |
 |
|
|
IDF responds following attack on vehicle. (AP)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By israelinsider staff and partners July 24, 2005 |
|
| |
 |
| The Coles (courtesy katif.net) |
| |
An Israeli couple-- Dov and Rachel Kol, Jerusalem residents -- were killed and seven were wounded, one seriously, by Palestinians terrorist shooters west of the Kissufim crossing.
The Kols, aged 58 and 53 respectively, were driving home after spending the Sabbath in the Gaza settlement of Ganei Tal when Palestinian terrorists ambushed and fired at their vehicle, killing them and later injuring seven more Israelis who had rushed to try and help them. They left behind three children and a first grand-daughter born just last month. They are to be buried this afternoon.
The Israelis were riding in a vehicle when it came under fire, one of several vehicles shot at, including an IDF jeep. A gunfight ensued and one of the attackers was killed. They killed another after a pursuit, the army said.
The Kissufim corridor connects the Gush Katif settlement bloc in Gaza to the western Negev. At least one of the wounded were evacuated to Soroka hospital in Beersheva.
Three Palestinian groups jointly claimed responsibility for the attack, which they called a "martyrdom operation."
In a phone call to The Associated Press, a spokesman for the Islamic Jihad said the attack was carried out by a member of his group, together with gunmen from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and a group calling itself the Popular Resistance Committee.
"A group of our self-sacrifice martyrs... attacked an Israeli convoy of settlers and the army, causing many casualties," said the Islamic Jihad spokesman, identifying himself only by his nom de guerre, Abu Abdullah. Militants conceal their identities fearing Israel which has targeted dozens of militant leaders.
The involvement of Al Aqsa members in violence is a blow to Abbas who has led efforts to end attacks on Israelis in the run up to Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip next month. Saturday, Abbas won praise from Rice for his efforts to clamp down on militant groups after Palestinian police twice clashed with militants in recent days.
The AP contributed to this report.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
