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Strike in Gaza (archives)
Photo: AFP

Israeli missile kills Gaza gunman

Missile fired by aircraft kills 24-year-old gunman riding motorcycle east of Khan Younis; Hamas urges militant factions to uphold ceasefire with Israel

A missile fired by an Israeli aircraft killed a Palestinian terrorist riding a motorcycle in the Gaza Strip close to the border with Israel on Tuesday, the Islamic Jihad group said, identifying him as one of its members.

  

Islamic Jihad identified the dead gunman as Mohammed Najjar, 24, and said he had been wounded in the head in fighting during the three-week Gaza offensive that Israel launched in late 2008.

 

Local residents said the air strike took place east of the town of Khan Younis in the central Gaza Strip and wounded another man, who was not immediately identified.


Motorcycle after attack (Photo: Reuters)

 

Israeli security officials confirmed that the Air Force killed Najjar, who they say planned a mass terror attack in Israeli territory.

 

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said during a visit to the Kissufim army base Tuesday, "I want to tell the other side – Hamas and Islamic Jihad – I suggest that you don't test us - the IDF, the Southern Command, the brigade. If the attacks on Israel continue, there will be more casualties on the (Palestinian) side."

 

Tuesday morning saw another rocket fired towards Israel. The rocket landed in an open area south of Ashkelon. There were no reports of injury or damage.

  

Palestinian militants have stepped up cross-border rocket attacks on southern Israel in recent weeks and Israel has responded with air strikes.

 

Also Tuesday, Hamas spokesman Taher Nunu called on militant Gaza factions to stop firing rockets at Israel. He said a ceasefire that has been in place for two years serves Palestinian interests and prevents Israeli attacks.

  

Reuters, AP contributed to the report

  

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.11.11, 17:05
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