Israeli Missile Attack Kills Two Palestinians in Gaza
Voice of America
VOA News
11 Jun 2003, 21:49 UTC
Israeli forces have killed two Palestinians in a second raid on the Gaza Strip, following Wednesday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem that left 16 Israelis dead and 90 wounded.
Witnesses say Israeli helicopter gunships dropped flares and fired two missiles at a car in Gaza City early Thursday. Hours earlier, Israeli helicopters killed two Hamas militants and five other Palestinians in a strike in the same area.
That attack came minutes after a Hamas militant dressed as an orthodox Jew blew-up a bus in West Jerusalem's busy Jaffa Street. Hamas had vowed to avenge Israel's attempt Tuesday to kill senior Hamas official Abdel Aziz Rantisi.
Wednesday's suicide bombing drew strong condemnation from President Bush and Palestinian leaders.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat called the bombing a terrorist attack. Mr. Arafat and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas also called for an immediate Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. Mr. Abbas says it is important to move immediately into a serious implementation of the road map peace plan.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed to continue pursuing militants, while making every effort to secure a lasting peace with the Palestinians.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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