Eight killed, dozens injured in southern Israel terrorist attacks

[News_Editor]

Eight killed, dozens injured in southern Israel terrorist attacks

2011-08-19 06:29:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- Eight people were killed and dozens more were injured during a series of terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Thursday, officials said. The attackers were also killed.

The attacks began at around 12 p.m. local time when gunmen opened fire against an Egged bus about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) north of Israel's most southern city of Eliat, which is located at the northern tip of the Red Sea and borders Egypt.

Officials said the bus was traveling from Be'er Sheva to Eilat on Highway 12 along the Israel-Egypt border when the incident occurred, injuring fourteen people who were evacuated to a nearby hospital. The bus driver continued driving and stopped at a security checkpoint to report the attack, likely preventing further casualties on the bus.

Soon after the first attack, an explosive device also tore through a civilian bus which was not carrying passengers, killing the driver. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops who were dispatched to the scene were fired upon, killing 22 year-old Staff Sergeant Moshe Naftali. Two civilian vehicles were also attacked, injuring several people.

Further reports said several mortar shells and a missile were also fired from Egypt against a civilian vehicle in Israel. In addition, the Iron Dome, an Israeli missile-defense system, intercepted two rockets launched from Gaza into Israel.

IDF forces launched a search operation and pursued the vehicle which initially opened fire against the Egged bus. Upon reaching the gunmen, security forces exchanged fire and several of the terrorists were reportedly killed.

Spokesman of Israel's Prime Minister's Office, Ofir Gendelman, stated through his Twitter account that "the 3 terrorists who attacked an Israeli bus near Eliat have been killed by Israeli police special forces." In total, seven attackers were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces.

Overall, eight Israelis were killed and more than 40 others were injured. Some of those injured were said to be in a serious condition.

Meanwhile, IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai said the attacks were part of a "grave and complex event" in which civilians and soldiers were killed and injured.

In response to the deadly attack, IDF aircraft struck several targets in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday evening, killing at least six people. Among the dead was Kamal Abu Abed al-Nairab, a senior commander in the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC).

"We all witnessed today an attempt to escalate the terrorist war against Israel by launching of attacks from the Sinai. If there is someone who thinks that the State of Israel will let this pass, he is mistaken," Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said. "I have set out a principle - when the citizens of Israel are attacked, we respond immediately and with strength. That principle was implemented today. Those who gave the order to murder our citizens, while hiding in Gaza, are no longer among the living."

The international community immediately condemned the coordinated attack, including White House Press Secretary Jay Carney who said the United States condemns the "brutal terrorist attacks" in southern Israel in the strongest terms. "Our deepest condolences go to the victims, their families and loved ones, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery," he said. "The U.S. and Israel stand united against terror and we hope that those behind this attack will be brought to justice swiftly."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also condemned the attack, saying the "brutal and cowardly" attacks appear to be premeditated acts of terrorism against civilians. "This violence only underscores our strong concerns about the security situation in the Sinai Peninsula," Clinton said. "The United States and Israel are united in the fight against terror. We hope that those involved in the planning of these gruesome attacks will be brought to swift justice. We stand by Israel as our friend, partner, and ally -- now and always."

British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, said the United Kingdom condemns the "appalling and senseless acts of violence." "As efforts for peace in the region continue, this brutality has no place, nor its perpetrators any excuse. My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and I offer sincere condolences to their families and friends," he said.

European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek both also voiced their condemnation. "I am deeply appalled by these acts of terror that were also targeting innocent civilians," Buzek said.

Buzek said he hopes Thursday's attacks will not lead to a destabilization and an escalation of violence in these 'crucial' times. "I call upon all those who bear political responsibility to do their utmost to keep the flame of peace alive," he said. "Now is the time for dialogue and negotiations."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-19

[coma]

Seen this coming a mile away. The people of Egypt are reaching out to their Palestinian brothers now that Mubarak is out of power.

Soon the Syrian people will be doing exactly the same when Assad gets booted. Dangerous times ahead for Israel.