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ANALYSIS: ISRAEL LAUNCHES FIVE ATTACKS IN THE GAZA STRIP AGAINST MILITANT LEADERS AND SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES; AT LEAST 10 KILLED
All Things Considered: October 20, 2003
Israel Strikes Hamas Targets in Gaza
MELISSA BLOCK, host:
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Melissa Block.
ROBERT SIEGEL, host:
And I'm Robert Siegel.
Israeli forces launched five more attacks in the Gaza Strip today, targeting militant leaders and a suspected weapons factory. Witnesses say at least 10 people were killed in the attacks, including two Hamas militants, and dozens were wounded. Palestinian officials sharply condemned the latest attacks, which came the day after three Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush in the West Bank. NPR's Linda Gradstein reports.
LINDA GRADSTEIN reporting:
Palestinian officials say it was the heaviest barrage of Israeli air strikes in Gaza in many months. In the first of the day's attacks, Israeli warplanes bombed a building under construction that Israeli officials said was used by Palestinian militants to make Qassam rockets. Yesterday, Palestinians fired eight Qassams from Gaza into southern Israel, but there were no injuries. Palestinian officials said 16 Palestinians were wounded in today's air strike, including several children.
About 15 minutes later, Israeli helicopters fired missiles at a pickup truck that was stopped at a traffic light in Gaza City. Two Hamas militants and a bystander were killed and at least seven others wounded. Palestinian witnesses said a nearby elementary school had just let out for the day.
A third Israeli attack was launched a few hours later. It, too, was aimed at a vehicle carrying Palestinian militants, but witnesses said the car's occupants fled before that attack, and there were no immediate reports of additional casualties. And in the evening, two more Israeli missile strikes killed at least two militants and wounded dozens of others.
Reacting to the flurry of attacks, Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said Israel is only fueling the cycle of violence.
Mr. SAEB EREKAT (Palestinian Cabinet Minister): Violence will breed violence, and bullets will breed more bullets. And this vicious cycle cannot be broken by more Israeli assassination attempts.
GRADSTEIN: Israeli officials say the Palestinian Authority has not fulfilled its promise to fight terrorism and so they must do the job instead. Speaking at today's opening of parliament's winter session, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Israel will continue its war on terrorism.
Prime Minister ARIEL SHARON (Israel): (Foreign language spoken)
GRADSTEIN: `We will pursue the terrorists and we will hit them anyplace we can,' Sharon said. In a speech that was repeatedly interrupted by opposition Knesset members, Sharon also sharply attacked Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
SOUNDBITE OF KNESSET SESSION
Prime Min. SHARON: (Foreign language spoken)
Unidentified Man #1: (Foreign language spoken)
Prime Min. SHARON: (Foreign language spoken)
Unidentified Man #2: (Foreign language spoken)
GRADSTEIN: `This man is the largest obstacle to peace,' Sharon said to angry shouts from Arab Knesset members.
Sharon reiterated his government's decision last month to remove Arafat. Israeli hard-liners have been pressing Sharon to expel the Palestinian leader, a move the Bush administration opposes. Linda Gradstein, NPR News, Jerusalem.
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