Middle East

Israel strikes twice after Hamas militants attack at Gaza border crossing

Article published on the 2008-04-19 Latest update 2008-04-21 10:04 TU

A Palestinian militant wounded during an IDF air strike
(Photo : Reuters)

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) struck twice on Saturday after twelve Israeli soldiers were wounded and three Palestinians were killed in an attack by Hamas militants at a border crossing between Gaza and Israel. An Israeli army spokeswoman says that the militants tried to cross with two vehicles packed with explosives, under cover of mortar fire, in dense fog.

 The Hamas attacks took place hours before Jews begin the week-long Passover holiday at sundown Saturday.

The spokeswoman said that one of the militants was a suicide bomber who blew up one vehicle at the scene, and left two other Hamas militants dead. Israeli soldiers and the remaining militants waged a battle with fire arms. The second vehicle was not destroyed but was to be exploded by bomb disposal experts.

This the fifth attack in a week by militants at crossing points where humanitarian aid is sent into Gaza.

"If the parties (the international community) do not intervene immediately to save Gaza, which is dying of the siege, Hamas will work to end the siege in all possible ways," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement.

Israel placed a blockade on Gaza in June 2007 after Hamas seized control of the area, while loyalists to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas withdrew to the West Bank.