JERUSALEM Ñ Two Palestinian Islamic groups are said to be cooperating in attacks against Israeli civilian targets.

Israeli and Palestinian sources said the cooperation between Hamas and Islamic Jihad is strong in the southern region of the West Bank. This includes Hebron and south of the city.

The cooperation has increased over the last month. The two groups have participated in joint operations as well as exchange intelligence.

The latest joint operation was reported on Sunday, when an Islamic squad attacked an Israeli passenger bus in Jerusalem. An Islamic gunman opened fire with an M-16 semi-automatic rifle on the passenger bus.

At least two Israelis were killed and 40 were injured. Israeli soldiers in the area returned fire and the attacker was killed. The gunman was identified as Hatem Shweiki, 24, from Hebron and aligned with the Islamic Jihad.

The Hamas-Jihad cooperation was meant to avenge the Israeli assassination of Jamil Jadlallah last week in Hebron. Jadlallah was a Hamas member who also worked with Jihad.

Overnight Monday, Israeli troops withdrew from the West Bank city of Kalkilya. The city was one of six surrounded by the military in the West Bank.

Print this Article

Email this article

Free Headline Alerts