Monday, December 02, 2002

Israel Keeps Suspicion for Attacks on Qaeda

While there has been much speculation by Israeli news organizations, little solid information has trickled out about the attacks. Israeli officials have said their assumption about Al Qaeda is largely circumstantial, based on the way the attacks were conducted.

In Israel, a top official in the opposition Labor Party demanded an explanation today of why the government issued no specific warnings before the bombing.

The question has stirred much contention here since Thursday over possible failures by Israel's normally vigilant intelligence services, especially since the Australian government warned its citizens last month about a possible attack in Kenya.

In Gaza, Israeli tanks and helicopters entered the seaside town of Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp, north of Gaza City, late on Saturday night to destroy the homes of three Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis.

A fierce gun battle broke out, in which a Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli soldiers. Hospital officials identified him as Mahmood Al Nearani, 32. Israeli soldiers said he was armed and firing at them, while Palestinian witnesses said he was merely walking home.

Under the rubble of one house, the body of a 70-year-old man, identified as Ashour Salem, was found this morning. His wife, Kifaia, 60, said Mr. Salem had been sleeping on the roof when soldiers forced out the residents. Several reports said Mr. Salem was deaf and probably did not hear the warnings to leave.

"When I see my house demolished it makes me more angry, more willing to resist, God willing, till we liberate Palestine," said the dead man's son, Hashim.

Hashim Salem, 29, is wanted by the Israeli military, which says he is a member of the militant group Islamic Jihad, and that he planned a suicide attack in March 1996 that killed 20 people in Tel Aviv.

Later, just east of Gaza City, a helicopter gunship narrowly missed hitting two Palestinians in a car, witnesses said, in an attack that Palestinian hospital officials say wounded at least two bystanders. The Israeli military said it had no comment on the incident.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/02/international/middleeast/02MIDE.html

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