Inspecting the damage at Netiv Ha'asara
Photo: Tzafrir Abayov
Five Palestinians wounded in firefight
Palestinian security forces trying to stop Qassam rocket attacks get into gunfight with terrorists; four security personnel, one Hamas member wounded
Five Palestinians were wounded Thursday evening during an exchange of gunfire between Hamas members and Palestinian Authority police officers.
In response to recent developments, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is meeting with PA Interior Minister Nasser Yousef and Preventative Security Commander Rashid Abu Shabak.
Terrorism
By Hanan Greenberg and Shmulik Haddad
Palestinian terror groups direct Qassam, mortar shell barrages at Israeli communities in and outside Gaza Strip; 22-year-old woman killed. Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claim responsibility for attack
PA cops spot terrorists
The gunfight broke out after Palestinian mortar crews fired at Israeli settlements in Gaza and towns over the Green Line. Following that barrage, Palestinian police spread out and began patrols in the area of the launch site.
Shortly afterward, a rocket Qassam was fired at Netiv Ha'asara, killing a young Israeli woman, and two rockets were fired at the Gaza settlement of Nisanit.
Palestinian security spotted the cell and surrounded it. The police officers demanded that the Palestinian rocket crew stop firing and hand over its weapons. A fight broke out, which later turned into a more violent confrontation near Beit Lahia.
The wounded include a Hamas member and four PA police officers. Palestinian sources said that during the gunfire exchange, the Hamas terrorists fired a mortar at a PA National Security base, destroying a jeep.
Both groups reinforced themselves with dozens of armed Palestinians fighting on each side. Meanwhile, Hamas and Fatah political leaders are trying to settle the dispute without success.
Hamas sources said that the firefight was not accidental but a result of international pressure on the PA to confront armed Palestinian groups. Hamas accused the PA of collaborating with the enemy and working against "the resistance."
