TEL AVIV Ñ The ruling Fatah movement led by Palestinian Authority
Chairman Yasser Arafat has continued attacks on targets in Israel.
Fatah insurgents infiltrated an Israeli kibbutz and shot dead five
Israelis, including a mother and two children, on late Sunday. One gunman
was said to have carried out the attack on Kibbutz Metzer in northern
Israel. The attacker escaped.
The Fatah-led Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the
attack. It was the second major attack in Israel by Fatah insurgents on
Sunday.
Earlier, two Fatah members wearing explosive belts were shot while they
tried to storm an Israeli checkpoint. The Fatah attackers blew themselves up
and were killed. No Israelis were seriously injured.
Palestinian sources said the Fatah attacks in Israel come amid an effort
by the PA to limit suicide missions in Israel during the current election
campaign in the Jewish state. PA and Fatah officials are meeting
representatives of the Islamic opposition movement Hamas in a European
Union-sponsored meeting in Cairo.
It was the first meeting of the two sides outside the West Bank and Gaza
Strip since 1999. The sources said the discussions in Cairo appear to be
focused on ending suicide attacks Ñ rather than all attacks Ñ on Israel.
Hamas and Fatah met five hours on Sunday but the designated chairman of the
Hamas delegation, Khaled Masha'al did not arrive in Cairo.
Fatah leaders said the movement had ended attacks in Israel earlier this
year. But Palestinian sources said the movement is split and many of the
junior- and mid-level officers have continued attacks on targets in Israel
in cooperation with the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad.
Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles at a suspected Palestinian
weapons factory in Gaza City overnight Monday. Palestinian sources said
three Palestinians were slightly injured. The factory was said to have been
destroyed.
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz convened military and
security chiefs to discuss the attack on the kibbutz. A senior defense
source said Israel will retaliate against Palestinian targets within hours.
The source would not provide details.
