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Israeli checkpoint bombing kills four
 A bomber has blown himself up at a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, killing an Israeli army officer and two Palestinian bystanders. An Israeli army spokesman said three other Israeli soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in the attack on Thursday at the checkpoint near Tulkarem which had been set up to prevent the bomber from crossing into Israel and causing much greater carnage.
| So they knew he was coming. They're good... |
"We know that in addition to the soldier and bomber, two Palestinian civilians were also killed," the spokesman said. The Palestinian victims were the driver of the taxi that the bomber had been travelling in and another passenger.
| The other passenger would likely be his handler, so no great loss. |
West Bank medical sources said that five Palestinians were also wounded in the blast. Aljazeera's correspondent in Tulkarm, Mueen Shadid, said six Palestinians, including a woman, were injured in the attack.
Witnesses said the wounded might have been shot by Israeli forces, often accused of indiscriminately shooting at people.
| They might have been, but I doubt it. |
The impact of the blast was so huge that the Israeli army had initially said it was the work of two bombers. The Israeli military said the bomber had been travelling in a taxi which was stopped at an impromptu checkpoint. "Three passengers exited the taxi, including the bomber who was wearing a large overcoat," an Israeli army spokesman said. "The roadblock commander requested that the bomber open his coat to be searched. The bomber then opened his coat and detonated an explosives belt concealed under his coat."
| Should have indiscriminately shot him and then asked... |
The belt had been wired to a large amount of explosives and was packed with nails and other shards of metals. The Israeli army said that the bomber had intended to blow himself up in a crowded public place after crossing the border into Israel.
Posted by: Fred 2005-12-30 |
