Two Palestinians opened fire Thursday on passengers at the northern Israeli town of Beit She'an Central bus station and at a nearby Likud Party office, where members were voting in a leadership primary. At least six people were killed. Thirteen people were in serious condition and seven sustained moderate wounds.
Three of former foreign minister David Levy's children were among those wounded in the attack, one seriously while the two others suffered light injuries.
A gun battle erupted on the street, with police and armed bystanders firing at the Palestinian attackers. The two Palestinian attackers were killed. One of the dead gunman wore an explosives belt that did not detonate, Isareli police said.
Fatah's Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility for this shooting attack. The group said the attack was a response to the deaths of two activists in an explosion in the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin earlier this week. The group has blamed Israel for the deaths, though Israel denied involvement.
Later, the Palestinian Authority condemned the shooting and said such attacks inside Israel "have caused severe and negative damage to our national interests." It denied any link to the gunmen.
Following the attack, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pleaded with Likud party members to cast their votes in the leadership primary, in which he is being challenged by Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Terror has another aim - to influence the elections in Israel," said Sharon, in press conference televized live from the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
