GAZA, 9 June 2003 — Three Palestinian groups banded together for a rare joint attack that killed four Israeli soldiers yesterday in a direct challenge to the peace process.
Three activists from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades disguised themselves as Israeli soldiers before attacking an army post near the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, the military said. All three Palestinians were shot dead in the gunbattle. Four other soldiers were wounded, including one seriously.
In another incident, an Israeli was shot and killed in the flash point southern West Bank city of Hebron by two Palestinians, who were later gunned down by Israeli soldiers, Israeli public radio said yesterday.
In the Erez crossing attack at least three Palestinians in Israeli military uniforms sprayed the army post with gunfire before being shot dead, said Gen. Doron Almog, who heads Israel’s southern command.
Three of the soldiers killed were reservists and the fourth a career officer, Almog said, announcing the first findings of the army’s investigation to public radio.
“They managed to reach the northern wing of the position and took them by surprise, killing three soldiers at point blank range, including two who were tasked with manning the entrance of the position. “The fourth was killed inside,” he said.
The three Palestinian groups said in a joint statement the operation was carried out by Mohammed Abu Beid, 21, of Ezzedin Al-Qassam Brigades (armed wing of Hamas), Mussa Sakhawil, 21, of Al-Aqsa Brigades, and Rami El-Bek, 22, of Al-Quds Brigades,” the statement said.
The army closed all crossing points around the Gaza Strip following the attack, including the Rafah border with Egypt.
Another Palestinian was killed in an exchange of fire overnight near the Kissufim crossing between the territory and the Jewish state, sources on both sides said.
He was a member of the National Resistance Brigades, military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the group said in a statement.
The Israeli government urged Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas to take immediate steps to crack down on hard-liners following the attack. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed not one Palestinian refugee will ever enter Israel, during a speech to his right-wing Likud party’s convention in Jerusalem. “I will never let any Palestinian refugees enter Israel — never,” Sharon said as bodyguards shielded him from angry hecklers in the crowd.
In Washington, US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said the Middle East peace process should not be derailed by the attack.
— Additional input from Agencies
