RAMALLAH Ñ Five Palestinians were killed in a failed Israeli attempt
to kill a leading Palestinian insurgent.
Israeli and Palestinian sources said two Israeli AH-64A Apache attack
helicopter fired four rockets at a car that contained a suspected Fatah
insurgency leader. The insurgent, Jihad Sauafta, was said to have escaped.
Five people in the vehicle were killed. The sources said they included
youngsters who were not connected to Palestinian insurgency attacks. Another
Fatah insurgent, identified as Rafat Daraghmeh, was also said to have been
killed.
The Israeli attack took place near the West Bank village of Tubas. The
car was driving from Taysir to Tubas and was followed
by the Apache helicopters until they fired four anti-tank missiles.
"Sometimes there are mistakes," Israeli Internal Security Minister Uzi
Landau said. "But that doesn't mean these operations should be terminated."
But Israeli Science Minister Matan Vilnai said the military is making
"mistake and mistake. The army must inspect itself."
Sauafta was identified as a leader of Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. He was
the
latest target in a series of insurgency leaders killed or arrested over the
last two weeks.
Near Hebron, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians overnight Sunday
outside the village of Bani Naim. The Palestinians were not immediately
identified as insurgents but suspected of being thieves who had intended to
enter Israeli farms.
Earlier, Israeli troops arrested Hamas leader Hassan Yusef. Yusef was
identified as a cleric and leader of Hamas's political wing in the West
Bank.
Palestinian sources said Yusef was captured in Ramallah in a major sweep
by Israeli forces. The hideout used by Yusef was said to contain a large
amount of money.
Near Nablus, a Palestinian insurgent infiltrated an Israeli community
and opened fire toward a group of women and children. Two people were
seriously injured. The insurgent, identified as a member of the Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was killed by Israeli security
forces.
