Apr 9, 2008 6:45 am US/Pacific
Palestinian Gunmen Kill 2 Israelis Across Border
JERUSALEM (AP) ―
Palestinian militants crossed into southern Israel and killed two Israeli civilians in a surprise attack Wednesday. Israel responded with ground and air attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Israel said it held the Hamas militants who control the territory responsible for the cross-border raid. Israeli forces launched at least one airstrike and tank shelling and at least three Palestinians were killed.
Government spokesman Mark Regev said Hamas "will be held accountable."
At least four militants participated in the attack on the Nahal Oz terminal, which delivers fuel to Gaza, Israeli officials said. Two were killed on the spot and the others escaped to Gaza.
"We are surrounded by tanks. It's a war out there," said Munther Rahmi, a worker on the Palestinian side of the border.
Israel, the sole provider of fuel to Gaza, sealed the border after Hamas seized control of the area last June.
There had been a sharp drop in fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants since Israel ended a broad military offensive early last month. Egypt has been trying to mediate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants.
Two smaller militant groups, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility for the attack.
"We are talking of a unique and complicated operation," said Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmad. He said details would be released later, but Israeli media said the militants had fired a series of mortar shells before the infiltration to divert Israeli attention.
Hamas had threatened Tuesday to burst across the Israeli border to end Israel's blockade of Gaza.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
