Seven Palestinians killed in Israeli missile bombardment in Gaza, 16 Israelis were killed in a Palestinian operation in Jerusalem
Palestine-Israel, Military, 6/12/2003

The Israeli TV said yesterday that at least 16 persons were killed in the suicide operation which targeted yesterday afternoon, an Israeli bus. Israeli rescue forces said that so far 60 persons were wounded many of them in critical conditions.

A spokesman for the Palestinian police said that at least 16 persons were killed when a Palestinian detonated himself in a bus yesterday.

The spokesman Shameul Bin Robi said in a statement "so far I calculated 13 corpses in the bus not including the body of the suicider." He added that at least 73 persons were wounded.

The Israeli TV said that the explosion was a result of an attack carried out by an executor. Palestinian activists threatened to launch revenge raids following Tuesday's attempt by the Israel to assassinate Abdul Aziz al-Ranteisi, where 6 Palestinians were killed and more 60 were wounded in these Israeli raids.

Seven Palestinians were killed in a raid carried out by Israeli military helicopters at a car in one suburb to the east of Gaza, according to Palestinian medical sources.

Witnesses said that the targeted man was a remarkable member in Ezz Eddine al-Qassam group, the military wing of the Hamas movement, Masoud al-Teiti.

The witnesses said that four missiles were fired from an Israeli helicopter at the car which was running in al-Shuja'eyah quarters and was totally destroyed. The attack took place one hour after a suicide operation against an Israeli bus in the downtown of west Jerusalem and resulted at least in killing 16 Israelis whereas 100 were reported as wounded.

Officials at a Palestinian hospital said that a key activist in Hamas and other 6 Palestinians were killed in a missile attack launched by an Israeli helicopter against Gaza just a short time after one Palestinian detonated himself in a bus in Jerusalem. Hamas said that the killed activist is Teito Masoud and he is the leader of Ezz Eddine al-Qassam group, the military wing of the movement to the north of Gaza.

An Israeli military source said that the said activist was involved in launching al-Qassam missiles in southern Israel and on Jewish settlements in Gaza.

Hospital sources said that another activist in Hamas was also in the car with Masoud was killed in the attack in addition to passersby. A witness said that "Lakes of blood and human parts É cut heads.. this is what I had seen." Hundreds of Palestinians took the streets to the site of the explosion calling for revenge. Hospital sources said that more than 35 persons were wounded in the attack many of them in critical conditions.

To this effect, the Hamas movement considered yesterday that the Jerusalem suicide operation was an evidence to that the Palestinian people can retaliate "at any time and place the Israeli crimes" holding the Israeli government responsibility over what is taking place.

The key figure at the Hamas movement Mahmoud al-Zahhar said that this operation shows that the Palestinian groups "can retaliate at the due time, place and moment the Israeli crimes." He held the Israeli government responsible for what is taking place and that "the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon holds the responsibility of killing not only the Palestinians but also the Israelis." He explained that this operation "regardless to its executor was but a clear answer and a revenge to the Martyrs who were killed at the hands of the occupation forces."

Meantime today, Palestinian security and medical sources said that two Palestinians were killed at least and several others were wounded in the new Israeli raids carried out by Israeli military helicopters today at dawn against the city of Gaza. The sources said that one Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at a car in Gaza and killed two Palestinian activists.

The Palestinian sources added the two men are members of al-Aqsa martyrs groups, which is linked to the Fatah movement. However, the Hamas movement said the two Martyrs are of its members. The officials indicated that the two men are of Ashtweiwi family in al-Zeitoun quarters to the east of Gaza. A medical source indicated that several wounded Palestinians arrived in al-Shefaa hospital in Gaza.

Previous Stories:
  Israel continues every effort to blow up any opportunity for peace   (6/11/2003)
  Israel reoves settlements, destroys palestinian homes; Hamas considers dialogue   (6/10/2003)
  Thousands of Israeli settlers demonstrate in Jerusalem: dismantling settlements is a surrender to terrorism   (6/5/2003)
  Amnesty international: Israel commits war crimes against the Palestinians   (5/31/2003)

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