BBC Five dead in Mid-East raid

An Israeli soldier hurt in the raid is taken to hospital Two Palestinian activists infiltrated an Israeli army post near a Jewish settlement in Gaza, killing three soldiers and wounding seven others before being shot dead themselves.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said the two Palestinians broke into the base, opening fire with automatic rifles and throwing grenades.

A militant group, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) said it had carried out the raid near the settlement of Gush Katif.

The Israeli Government said it ultimately held the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, responsible for the latest violence.

After the attack, Israeli helicopters flew over the area and troops blockaded a coastal road, Palestinian security officials said.

Fearing Israeli reprisals, Palestinian police evacuated their buildings in Gaza.

'Grave incident'

The attack on the Marganit base happened at about 4am local time.

"Three soldiers were killed in Gaza this morning by two terrorists who came into their base and opened fire and threw several grenades," an Israeli army spokeswoman said.

She said one of the Palestinians was killed on the spot. The other escaped but was later shot dead by Israeli forces.

One of the Israelis killed was named as Major Gil Oz, aged 30.

Israeli Government spokesman Avi Pazner said: "This incident proves that the Palestinians have no intention whatever of respecting the ceasefire.

"In this very grave incident, they attacked Israeli soldiers at their base. Israel will consider its response," he said.

Response

Speaking to the BBC, Israel's Communications Minister Reuven Rivlin accused Yasser Arafat of duplicity by professing a desire for a ceasefire while allowing Palestinian extremists to continue to hit Israel.

Mr Rivlin said Mr Arafat had to realise he would get "no advantage by using terrorist acts against Israel".

Asked if Israel would retaliate, Mr Rivlin said the government had a duty and a responsibility to protect Israeli citizens.

The radical Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said the raid was in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

"This operation was in response to the aggressive, ugly war that the criminal [Israeli] government has continued against our people," the DFLP said in a statement.

A DFLP spokesman in Ramallah, Dahwood Talhami, told the BBC their aim was to be rid of what he called "Israel's colonial presence".

Mr Talhami said the DFLP had close relations with all Palestinian organisations but was not necessarily linked to Mr Arafat.

Since the Palestinian intifada began nearly a year ago, Palestinian activists have repeatedly targeted troops and settlers in Gaza.

But correspondents say Saturday's attack was one of the most brazen and deadly.

Violence was also reported in several other areas of Gaza and the West Bank.

Israeli troops and Palestinians fought a fierce gun battle for several hours near Bethlehem during Saturday morning.

Continuing violence

With no sign of the violence abating, the militants appear to be gaining support among ordinary Palestinians

On Friday, the Islamic militant Hamas group and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, once bitter rivals, staged a joint rally in the West Bank town of Nablus.

Thousands turned out to commemorate the killings of eight people in an Israeli attack last month.

Leading figures Hamas and two children were among those killed when Israeli helicopter gunships launched missiles against a Hamas office in Nablus on 31 July.

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2001