Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., April 12, 2008 Nisan 7, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:38 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

A Palestinian militant laying an explosive device at a street corner in Gaza City, near the Nahal Oz crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel on Wed. (AP) Last update - 03:42 10/04/2008 2 Israeli civilians killed in attack by Gaza infiltrators By Yuval Azoulay, Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies Tags: israel, Gaza, Palestinians Two Israeli civilians were shot dead and two others were wounded Wednesday afternoon when four Palestinian terrorists infiltrated from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. The attack took place at the filling depot close to the Karni border terminal, near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Advertisement The victims were identified as Be'er Sheva residents Oleg Lipson, 37, and Lev Cherniak, 53. "Terrorists entered Nahal Oz and the fuel depot. They shot at civilians inside. There are two Israelis dead and two wounded," an IDF spokeswoman said. Following the infiltration, IDF tanks and soldiers rushed to the scene, and killed two of the terrorists with tank fire. Two others managed to escape to the other side of the Gaza border, where a getaway car was waiting for them. Later in the day, a Palestinian sniper shot and lightly wounded an IDF soldier who was carrying out a search near Nahal Oz. An IAF missile strike on Wednesday evening hit a car in the Sajaia neighborhood in Gaza, in which one of the terrorists who carried out the shooting attack was traveling, IDF sources said. According to the sources, the terrorist and another man who was with him in the vehicle were killed in the strike. Earlier Wednesday, during the IDF forces' attempt to target the terrorists who carried out the attack and fled the scene, the Israel Air Force fired one missile at a Palestinian car in Gaza City's Zeitun neighborhood and another at a house in the area. Four Palestinians were killed as a result of the missile strike. They were identified as A'ataf al-Arbali, a member of the "Mujahideen Brigade," his brother Ahmed al-Arbali, Mazen Abu Kamiz and Muhammed Abu Jabeh. Maj. Tal Levram, an IDF spokesman, said the militants fired a series of mortar shells before the infiltration to divert Israel's attention. The mortar attacks continued afterward, and one landed by Levram as he detailed the attack. Levram said the army believes the militants were planning to stage an attack on a kibbutz or to kidnap a soldier , but were thwarted by the army's quick response. "It could have been much much worse," the officer said. Channel 2 reported that the Palestinian infiltrators set fuel depots afire. The extent of damage to the facility was unclear, but the attack threatened to exacerbate Gaza's already delicate humanitarian situation. Plumes of smoke billowed up from the depot, the sole conduit of fuel to Gaza's 1.4 million residents. Israel cordoned off the area, and police and emergency service reinforcements were rushed to the scene. Security forces then checked whether there were more terrorists in the area. The gunmen apparently set out from central Gaza. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, along with a group linked to the Al-Aqsa Brigades. A spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees said that members of three groups, not including Hamas, infiltrated the crossing. "We are talking of a unique and complicated operation," said Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmad. He said details would be released later. The infiltration occurred after the latest delivery of fuel funded by the European Union, Western diplomats said. A resident of Nahal Oz identified as Larry told Channel 10 television that several cars and homes in the area had been damaged as a result of mortar fire that reportedly occurred around the time of the attack. He said that the kibbutz residents had been told to remain in protected areas. Israel raised its level of alert in the area in the wake of the attack, the Magen David Adom rescue service said. Munther Rahmi, a worker on the Palestinian side of the border, said he saw IDF tanks crossing into Gaza. "We are surrounded by tanks. It's a war out there," he said. An initial IDF investigation showed that the four Palestinians breached the border fence and infiltrated into the filling depot close to the Karni crossing. They opened fire on the civilians at the site, killing the two victims. The IDF will now investigate how the militants were able to infiltrate without being caught, and escape back into Gaza. An IDF official maintained that troops acted quickly, reaching the site of the attack in a short period of time. The attack comes hours after an Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed in clashes with Palestinian gunmen in the Gaza Strip. Hamas militant Muhammed Samieh was also killed in the clashes. Related articles: IDF soldier killed, two wounded in Gaza Strip Jerusalem police lower alert over suspected terrorist infiltration Bookmark to del.icio.us   Banning Beijing boycott Israel's Olympic panel warns against mixing sports and politics. 20,000 strong Study released by Israeli think tank shows Hamas' military buildup in Gaza has peaked.   1.   So, where are they now? 15:44  |  Citizen Zero 09/04/08   2.   2 dead 15:46  |  Anette 09/04/08   3.   And US wants Israel to abolish border control 15:58  |  Absolute Sweden 09/04/08   4.   The disengagement sure did bring peace 15:59  |  JD 09/04/08   5.   Abbas` Fatah`s al-aqsa brigades? Must be a mistake. 15:59  |  Cynic 09/04/08   6.   They Killed the Israelis who bring fuel to Gaza 16:00  |  Eyal 09/04/08   7.   This is what happens 16:03  |  Chaim Gorenstein 09/04/08   8.   Israel infiltrates Gaza frequently killing innocent Palestinians 16:05  |  Harold 09/04/08   9.   Israel should provide the minimum fuel for hospitals 16:05  |  Pervert 09/04/08   10.   If the Israeli government had guts.. 16:08  |  Bob 09/04/08   11.   Self-destructive Palestinian terrorists 16:09  |  William 09/04/08   12.   The big problem. 16:18  |  Vital 09/04/08   13.   Result of peace process with terrorists 16:27  |  Nechama 09/04/08   14.   Truth 16:29  |  Wissam 09/04/08   15.   Perhaps they were just lost Palestinian tourist... 16:29  |  chuckmeister 09/04/08   16.   But the fuel will continue to flow 16:32  |  Chaim 09/04/08   17.   It is a war, for those who haven`t heard 16:38  |  Natallie Durson 09/04/08   18.   For JD # 4 16:39  |  Clickfool 09/04/08   19.   Close the border 16:40  |  Ethan 09/04/08   20.   Two palestinian civilians killed in Gaza 16:40  |  Peter SM 09/04/08   21.   Easy solution: No fuel 16:41  |  jk 09/04/08   22.   Harold not too smart upstairs Israel does not kill civilians 16:41  |  Robert/Montreal 09/04/08   23.   an outrage 16:41  |  Daver the waver 09/04/08   24.   Israel should provide zero fuel for their hospitals or anything 16:43  |  Genuine Tosefta 09/04/08   25.   Israel should cut off ALL fuel 16:44  |  Maurice 09/04/08   26.   Will Israel raze Gaza after this latest attack? 16:45  |  Richard S 09/04/08   27.   Israel needs to retake Gaza and kill every terrorist on site.. 16:54  |  a 09/04/08   28.   hey Harold 16:56  |  from hate Harold 09/04/08   29.   Wow, "unique and complicated," enter and kill civilians! 16:57  |  McQueen 09/04/08   30.   This is "terrorism" indeed....... 16:59  |  Swiss (Dino) 09/04/08   31.   Cowardly act 17:02  |  Conroy 09/04/08   32.   # 16 17:03  |  Wissam 09/04/08   33.   The IDF does the same thing in Gaza daily. How does it feel... 17:04  |  POP 09/04/08   34.   Fueling The Peace Road Map 17:07  |  Zev 09/04/08   35.   They Purposely cut Off Their Own Supplies 17:13  |  dyinglikeflies 09/04/08   36.   Harold: Idiot Grande 17:18  |  Brad 09/04/08   37.   What do you expect from Gazans? 17:20  |  Hadi 09/04/08   38.   Every kid and even Hamas know... 17:23  |  Analyst 09/04/08   39.   Stupidity 17:25  |  Hani 09/04/08   40.   POP, you need to up the voltage 17:27  |  Gordon Peltz 09/04/08   41.   What`s good for the goose............ 17:34  |  Joe 09/04/08   42.   My condolences 17:35  |  KUTW 09/04/08   43.   Best wishes to the wounded 17:36  |  KUTW 09/04/08   44.   "The Arabs have never missed an opportunity to miss an ... 17:38  |  Yedidya 09/04/08   45.   Now the IDF will enter Gaza, kill 200 and for 2 months there 17:39  |  Murray of Montreal 09/04/08   46.   A taste of your own medicine, 17:39  |  Tom 09/04/08   47.   any more stupidities from bush and condi ? 17:40  |  victor hardman 09/04/08   48.   #13 17:43  |  Jane 09/04/08   49.   The fuel terminal should be closed for an extended period of time 17:49  |  Moti 09/04/08   50.   Haaretz reports only 17:54  |  i. whitten 09/04/08   51.   responsible for this murder is traitor olmert 17:54  |  chaim 09/04/08   52.   #8 Harold - You goose 18:00  |  * BEN JABO 09/04/08   53.   "terrorists" 18:00  |  margaret 09/04/08   54.   Chaim - life`s rough in Brooklyn 18:02  |  ERSB 09/04/08   55.   #17 NUTallie Durson 18:03  |  * BEN JABO 09/04/08   56.   POP and Tom with his stupid question 18:04  |  Conroy 09/04/08   57.   Meanwhile President Bush 18:05  |  Chris Linthwaite 09/04/08   58.   Hani 18:05  |  Jane 09/04/08   59.   # 14 Wissam - only half truth 18:06  |  ChanahS 09/04/08   60.   Is it not time Arab advocates abroad said to Hamas: Cease your 18:07  |  Amir 09/04/08   61.   hadi # 37 so,are you saying its ok for the pals to shoot and kill 18:08  |  terrornator 09/04/08   62.   My tax euro in flames 18:11  |  KUTW 09/04/08   63.   HAARETZ have you any self respect? 18:11  |  Harvey (Chaim) 09/04/08   64.   Hamas strangling the Palestinians 18:13  |  Sarah 09/04/08   65.   #42 Joe Chicago 18:14  |  Robert/Montreal 09/04/08   66.   Nahal Oz debacle 18:16  |  David Gershon 09/04/08   67.   Shut Karni crossing and fuel depot until EU funds ENTIRE cost! 18:27  |  Dr. L. Brnd 09/04/08   68.   Israel needs no man zones 18:28  |  Simeon ben Jacob 09/04/08   69.   A habit of the terrorists 18:37  |  KUTW 09/04/08   70.