Terror Attack

At least 4 Israelis – including a pregnant woman – have been murdered in a terror attack.

According to initial reports, an Israeli vehicle traveling in the area came under fire directed at it from a passing vehicle at the Beni Naim junction on Highway 60.

More than one terrorist apparently took part in the attack, which security officials say was a well-planned ambush. Channel Two said the attackers apparently confirmed the death of the Israeli victims before fleeing the scene.

The victims’ death was pronounced by medical personnel at the scene. One of the victims was a pregnant woman, officials said.

Security forces and Magen David Adom ambulances rushed to the scene. Palestinian security forces were also informed of the attack, which took place just as the Ramadan fast was ending, and are looking into the incident.

I believe the timing is no coincidence. The palestinians are constantly perpetrating such attacks when”peace” talks are about to begin.

Update: Ha’arez reports that the victims were all members of the same family: two men aged 25 and 40 and two women, also aged 25 and 40.

Update: One of the victims reportedly had a license for a firearm that was suspended shortly before the attack.

Update: The PA is blaming Hamas, Hamas is being coy, and the PRC has stated it was a message to the palestinian negotiating team ahead of the resumption of direct talks (as I initially surmised).

Palestinian security forces were also informed of the attack, which took place just as the Ramadan fast was ending, and are looking into the incident. A Palestinian security official said that a Hamas cell is believed to be behind the lethal attacks. He noted that the last attack in the Hebron region, which left an Israeli police officer killed, was also the work of Hamas.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told Ynet the attack was not meant to foil direct peace talks, and said the negotiations had failed even before starting.

“This is a natural response by the Palestinian resistance to the enemy’s crimes, and is proof that despite the resistance’s persecution by the security services and despite Israel’s crimes, the Palestinians are capable of responding to these crimes.”

“This is proof that the Palestinian resistance is living, breathing, and kicking,” he said.

Addressing the Palestinian Authority’s estimate that Hamas was behind the attack, Barhoum said: “Things are not as they were described by the Authority’s security forces.”

Meanwhile, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) told Ynet Tuesday’s shooting attack was a message to the Palestinian negotiating team ahead of the resumption of direct talks with Israel.

“They should not have embarked on this move without the support of the Palestinian people,” PRC Spokesman Abu Mujahid said. “Our people still espouse the resistance and do not believe in the fictitious talks scheduled to commence tomorrow. “