Shooting attack in Israeli-Jordan border terminal kills tourist, wounds others; Amman condemns

Published November 19th, 2003 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

A shooting attack took place Wednesday morning at the Arava terminal, also known as Rabin terminal, located on the Israeli-Jordan border some three kilometers north of the Israeli port city of Eilat.  

 

A gunmen opened fire in the border crossing terminal, injuring five people, one of them critically, Israel Radio reported. She later died of her wounds.  

 

The wounded were part of a group of 39 Ecuadorean pilgrims who were touring Middle East holy sights. The pilgrims were returning from sites in Jordan and were due to cross into Egypt on Thursday to visit the St. Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai desert. 

 

According to Israeli sources, the attacker was shot dead by security men deployed in the terminal.  

 

Israeli security forces launched a manhunt for a second shooter, who was thought to fled the area, a crossing point for tourists between Israel and Jordan.  

 

Jordan condemned the attack, saying that the gunman had acted alone. "This was a individual act by a sole gunman," Minister of State and government spokesperson Asma Khadr told Reuters. "We condemn this incident and Jordan's stance is clear against any acts of violence that target civilians," she added.  

 

Khader disclosed the gunman was a Jordanian truck driver, a resident of Zarqa, and said that Jordanian troops had searched his home. (Albawaba.com)

© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content