ISRAEL - Two children dead in Jewish settlement raid

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News : One Thread

Tuesday October 2, 08:37 PM

Two children die in Jewish settlement raid

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Palestinian gunmen have raided a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, killing at least two children and seizing a house and hostages, the Israeli army said.

The incident was certain to strain to breaking point a ceasefire which Israel and the Palestinian Authority have repeatedly accused the other of violating.

An army spokeswoman said it was not clear how many gunmen had entered the settlement of Alei Sinai in the northern Gaza Strip near the border with Israel, nor the number of hostages they had taken.

Channel Two television said a family of four was being held.

"Two people were killed. They were children," an army spokeswoman said. She did not know their ages.

The wounded included three soldiers who were lightly to moderately hurt in a gun battle which was still continuing, the spokeswoman said.

The raid marked the first time that Palestinian gunmen had taken hostages since the start a year ago of a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.

The Magen David ambulance service said at least six people were wounded.

"The wounded are being treated and army forces are handling the incident inside the settlement," one of its residents, Avi Farhan, told Army Radio.

He said the settlement was celebrating its 18th anniversary when gunfire erupted and the army quickly ordered all residents to go inside their houses, turn off their lights and lock their doors.

-- Anonymous, October 03, 2001


Moderation questions? read the FAQ