Palestinian militants breach Gaza fence in attack near Kissufim

Palestinian gunmen broke through Israel's border fortifications around Gaza on early Saturday afternoon and exchanged fire with Israeli troops inside Israel, the military said. The attack took place after the gunmen entered an unmanned IDF outpost at Kissufim crossing between central Gaza and Israel.

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Four gunmen, from the al-Quds Brigades - the military wing of Islamic Jihad - and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - Fatah's military wing, were responsible for the attack. According to the Palestinians, some of the gunmen escaped during the gunbattle, and two were still inside the post, one of them dead.

However, according to military sources, three gunmen were killed before and during the gunfight, and the fourth escaped.

Abu Ahmed, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, told local radio stations that the four gunmen were meant to snatch a soldier but the attempt was foiled when Israeli helicopter gunships arrived on the scene.

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IDF sources reported that look-outs identified a vehicle marked with "TV" insignia approaching the crossing from the Palestinian side of the fence. According to the sources, the Palestinians made an opening in the fence and infiltrated Israeli territory.

According to IDF Southern Command, the military was aware that an attempt at violence might be made and, in this way, was able to contain the attack. Following the incident, several units who were on call arrived at the area.

Gaza militants' "TV" sign draws reporters' anger
10 Jun 2007 12:00:20 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA, June 10 (Reuters) - The Palestinian journalists' union
criticised militants on Sunday for using a vehicle marked with
a "TV" sign to approach Gaza's border with Israel and attack an
Israeli military position across the frontier.

One militant was killed in Saturday's attack, jointly claimed
by Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed wing of
President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah faction. The Israeli military said
none of its soldiers was hurt.

"The use of vehicles that carry 'Press', 'TV' or other signs ...
expose journalists' lives to danger, gives the Israeli occupation
a pretext to target and kill journalists and restricts their
ability to perform their professional and national duties," the
Palestinian Journalist Syndicate said.

"We stress our rejection of the use of media vehicles and the
involvement of the press in any existing conflict, and we demand
all parties stop using these methods," said the group, the sole
journalists' union in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

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