7 Israeli Soldiers, 3 Attackers Killed in Fighting, in Southern Naqab Desert, August 18, 2011

7 Israeli Soldiers, 3 Attackers Killed in Fighting, in Southern Naqab Desert

August 18, 2011

Five killed, 25 injured in multiple attacks on Israeli targets

[ 18/08/2011 - 12:54 PM ]

EILAT, (PIC)--

Five were killed and 25 injured in two attacks on Israeli buses carrying soldiers near the southern occupied city of Um al-Rashrash (Eilat) on Thursday, Hebrew media reported.

They said that the Egged buses were mainly carrying soldiers and were heading from Be-er Al-Saba'a (Beersheba) to Eilat when they came under fire but continued their ride until they reached an Israeli military barrier. Reports indicated that a projectile was fired at the second bus which caused the deaths.

Reuters said that the attack took place 30 kilometers north of Eilat.

A big number of Israeli occupation troops backed by army choppers rushed to the scene amid reports of a clash with the attackers.

At least 7 killed, dozens injured in Southern Israel attacks

Thursday, 18/08/2011 15:55

TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma'an) --

At least seven people have been killed and dozens injured in two shooting attacks on buses near the Israeli city of Eilat, Israeli and Arabic media reported Thursday.

One bus was traveling from Be-er Al-Saba'a (Beersheba) to Eilat when three militants armed with Kalashnikovs opened fire about 30 kilometers north of Eilat near Netafim, causing multiple injuries, Israeli channel 10 reported.

Reports suggest that armed men opened fire from a car following the bus.

An Israeli army statement said that five soldiers were among a total of nine people injured.

"This morning’s incident, near the southern Israeli city of Netafim, left four soldiers moderately injured and one soldier lightly injured."

"Several people were injured as a result of an explosive device, detonated on an IDF force that arrived at the scene and drove over it," a statement said.

A second bus and a car were reportedly attacked soon after with a correspondent from Al-Arabiya reporting that five people had been killed, with one killed in the first bus attack.

Israeli media reports say that at least seven people were killed in all attacks.

In a third incident, mortars were reportedly fired at Israeli forces near the southern border causing injuries, although initial reports are unsure as to the origin of the artillery.

Israeli media reported that Jordan warned Israel about an unknown group crossing its border before the attack took place.

Meanwhile, Israeli defense minister Ehud Barak said that "this terror attack originated from Gaza," Ynet reported.

Senior Hamas official Salah Al-Bardaweil rejected Barak's accusations about Hamas' involvement and warned that Israel could be preparing to attack Gaza during Ramadan, adding that resistance would be swift if this occurred.

In an interview with Ma'an radio, Bardaweil accused Israel of blaming Hamas and Gaza groups in order to deflect attention from its' domestic economic crisis and security failures.

An Egyptian official said that "Egypt was in no way involved in the incident, since it is difficult to penetrate the Egypt-Israel border," the Israeli daily noted.

Security forces are still investigating the nature of the incidents and latest reports from Israeli radio suggest three of the attackers have been killed by Israeli forces, with the clashes now over.

A search is currently underway in Eilat to locate other suspects in the attack, as the police presence across Israel intensifies.

Twenty five people have been taken to Eilat hospital, Arabic media reported, and emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene of the attacks.

The identity of the attackers is unknown.

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