(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn, Amos Harel, and Arnon Regular - Israel Defense Forces troops thwarted a multi-pronged Palestinian attack on the Gaza Strip settlement of Kfar Darom before dawn Friday, killing one of the militants in an exchange of fire. Three Palestinians infiltrated an abandoned building near Kfar Darom and fired mortar shells and at least six anti-tank missiles at the settlement. They also opened fire with light arms. The mortar fire was intended as a diversion tactic to cover the Palestinians approaching the settlement and firing anti-tank missiles, military sources said. The militants were also seen with a bomb that had not been detonated. Hamas said it carried out the attack in cooperation with the Fatah-linked Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the Popular Resistance Committees. Gaza brigade commander Col. Moti Kidor said Friday that Palestinian police officers spotted the militants but did nothing to prevent them from opening fire on Kfar Darom, Israel Radio reported.
2005-05-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive