Shooting attack shrouded in mystery

Two people lightly hurt in shooting attack south of West Bank town of Hebron. Terror attack initially suspected, but authorities now looking into possibility shooting was criminally motivated; both victims have criminal record

Reuters | Published: 08.09.05, 23:50

Two men in their 40s sustained light injuries Tuesday evening after their vehicle came under fire south of the West Bank town of Hebron, in what was initially suspected to be a terror attack. However, authorities are now looking into the possibility the attack was criminally motivated

The shooters apparently fired at the Israeli vehicle while traveling in another car. The two victims, who both have a criminal record, were taken to Be'er Sheva's Soroka hospital for treatement. Their lengthy criminal record has led investigators to look into criminal motives for the attack.

The two men, both from the southern town of Netivot, were in the area to trade vehicle spare parts, one of them told Ynet.

"They shot at us through the window," Yossi Amar said. "The driver lost conscience and I steered the wheel until we reached the IDF roadblock."

Gunshot wound to the thigh

Large army forces and Magen David Adom ambulances were dispatched to the scene following the attack, and soldiers were scouring the area in search of the attackers.

Paramedic Limor Bar-Chai told Ynet: "The driver of the vehicle sustained a gunshot wound to his thigh, while the person sitting next to him sustained burn wounds. They did not appear to be religious or settlers."

"Both victims were fully conscience and we realized there was no need for an intensive care ambulance," she said. "A regular ambulance took them to Soroka hospital."