Military

DATE=11/18/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL PALESTINIANS / L

NUMBER=2-309934

BYLINE= LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Two Israelis have been shot and killed by suspected Palestinian gunmen in an incident on the outskirts of Jerusalem. From our Jerusalem Bureau, V-O-A's Larry James reports.

TEXT: The shooting took place early Tuesday morning, on the Tunnel Road, a highway leading from Jerusalem to the West Bank town, Bethlehem. The two victims were rushed to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The gunman is believed to have fled the scene to the nearby Palestinian village, El Kahder. The Israeli military immediately clamped a curfew on the village and began a search for the shooter.

The Tunnel Road was built to provide a secure route to protect travelers moving between Jerusalem and the nearby West Bank group of Jewish settlements known as Gush Etzion. Since the Israeli-Palestinian violence erupted, three years ago, the road has been the scene of several sniping incidents.

It is not immediately clear what affect the attack might have on current efforts now underway to establish a ceasefire. But, after the attack, Justice Minister Yosef Lapid told Army Radio talk of the ceasefire may have been premature. He says the shooting casts doubts on what he terms "the frankness" with which the new government of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia is prepared to fight terrorism.

Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman held talks with Palestinian officials, Monday, in Ramallah. He is to meet later in the week with Palestinian militant leaders in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to leaders of the Italian Jewish community in Rome, Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he would meet Mr. Qureia "in the coming days." It would be their first summit meeting since Qureia took office, more than a month ago. (signed)

NEB/LDJ/ WD