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12 Israelis killed in Hebron shooting attack
At least twelve Israelis were killed and 15 wounded Friday evening when Palestinian gunmen opened fire and tossed grenades at a group of Jewish settlers and IDF soldiers escorting them, as they made their way to Sabbath prayers at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in the West Bank city of Hebron. Several of the wounded were in serious condition. More Paleoheroism, killing people on their way to synagogue... The attack began shortly after 7 P.M. when gunmen ambushed worshippers making their way on foot from the nearby settlement of Kiryat Arba to the Tomb of the Patriarchs. Soldiers who rushed to the scene - an area popularly known as "worshippers' lane" - also came under fire and several were killed or wounded, Army Radio said. Heavy gunbattles ensued between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the area. Gunbattles raged for about 90 minutes, making it difficult for ambulances to reach the wounded. Military helicopters were used to assist in evacuating the wounded, and flares lit up the night sky over the city as soldiers searched for those who had carried out the attack. "It's a very grave incident on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath, close to the site of prayers," said army spokesman Lt. Col. Olivier Rafowicz. The Tomb of the Patriarchs is revered by both Jews and Muslims as the traditional burial place of the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Since Muslims revere it, nobody else should even think about using it... The head of Islamic Jihad said his organization had carried out the attack. Speaking by telephone to al-Jazeera satellite television, Ramadan Shallah said it was retaliation for Israel's killing of one of the group's members, Iyad Sawalha, earlier this month in Jenin. "I extend congratulations to our heroic mujahideen... who were able to carry out this remarkable operation. It included members of the Jerusalem Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad in Palestine," said Shallah, who is normally based in Syria. "Remarkable" is as good a description as any, I guess. I'd have said "despicable," myself... Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2002-11-15 |
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