S'13
06-27-2004, 03:45 PM
Casualties reported in attack on IDF post in Gush Katif
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
A mysterious explosion ripped through an IDF outpost in Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip Sunday night wounding a number of soldiers, military sources said. Contrary to earlier reports, the number of casualties is now reported to stand at about 10 soldiers, all of whom have been evacauted to hospital.
Initial reports said the explosion might have been caused by a tunnel dug underneath the position.
Channel Two reported that Fatah Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have all claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they had blown up the position from underneath. Initial reports said the explosion might have been caused by a tunnel underneath the position.
Army Radio reported that dozens of people were wounded by the explosion. The extent of their wounds was not immediately known. But Yehuda Shoshani, head of the Magen David Adom in the south, said that the number may not be so high.
Speaking to Channel 10 from the outpost, he said that there were a number of troops trapped in the wreckage. "I can see that one of its wings has collapsed," Shoshani said.
The wounded are being evacuated to Beer Sheba's Soroka Hospital. Only bullet proofed ambulances are being allowed into the area.
The IDF rushed medical crews and forces to the site of the explosion, military sources in the Gaza Strip said. Some reports said that the evacuation was being hampered by heavy gunfire and mortars on the site, but military sources could not confirm this.
The explosion happened at a fortified outpost at the Gush Junction sitting on the main north-south artery in the Gaza Strip. There were soldiers said to be trapped in the collapsed structure, military sources said.
If a confirmed attack, it would be the first successful bombing since Palestinians blew up an armored personnel carrier on May 12 along the Philadelphia corridor separating Egypt from the Gaza Strip. Five soldiers were killed in that explosion.
Palestinians have in the past burrowed tunnels underneath outposts in the past, including under the Termit outpost along the Philadelphia corridor in Rafah. This would be the first time that the method was used in the Gush Katif region.
While a victory for Palestinian terrorists, it also shows the difficulty they have in carrying out attacks outside of the heavily guarded Gaza Strip.
Channel One said the position was "totally destroyed" and that the explosion was extremely large. Military sources told the TV that there was no specific intelligence warning for this army position.
MDA said its ambulances were not being allowed into the area as a gun battle was taking place at the scene. Israel Radio reported a heavy exchange of fire between Palestinians and IDF forces in the area, hampering efforts to rescue wounded soldiers. Mortars are also being fired at forces in the area.
MDA also said that some soldiers may be trapped underneath a collapsed structure, possible a lookout position.
Gaza Strip Regional Council head Avner Shimoni, who was close to the site, told Israel the incident was "very serious". Shimoni said Gaza residents have been told to stay indoors.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1088305778186
Explosion rocks IDF position in Gaza
First report: Dozens of causalities in blast under army outpost near Kissufim artery. Others could be trapped under rubble.
Amir Buhbut
First report: A huge blast in an IDF position in the Gaza Strip caused dozens of causalities tonight. According to army officials, the explosion was most likely caused by a detonation of a tunnel rigged with explosives, which was dug under the outpost.
The explosion severely damaged the outpost and there are reports indicating that many are still trapped under the rubble. Hamas and the Fatah’s al-Aqsa Brigades both claimed responsibility for the attack.
Heavy exchanges of fire are currently reported in the area.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=9108
Dozens of injuries in Gush Katif
By Nir Hasson Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service
Five Israel Defense Forces soldiers were injured Sunday evening after an explosion went off at an army outpost located near the Gush Katif Junction in the Gaza Strip. Two additional soldiers were said to be trapped under the rubble of the outpost.
According to initial reports, the blast was set off by explosives planted in a tunnel dug near the base. "There are a lot of people injured at the scene," said Yeruham Mendola, a spokesman for the Magen David rescue service.
Palestinian gunmen were firing at rescue forces as they attempted to evacuate the injured form the site of the attack.
Channel Two reported that Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
The outpost hit is located at the junction of the Kissufim road and the Tanjer route, on which both Israelis and Palestinians frequently travel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444106.html
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
A mysterious explosion ripped through an IDF outpost in Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip Sunday night wounding a number of soldiers, military sources said. Contrary to earlier reports, the number of casualties is now reported to stand at about 10 soldiers, all of whom have been evacauted to hospital.
Initial reports said the explosion might have been caused by a tunnel dug underneath the position.
Channel Two reported that Fatah Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have all claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they had blown up the position from underneath. Initial reports said the explosion might have been caused by a tunnel underneath the position.
Army Radio reported that dozens of people were wounded by the explosion. The extent of their wounds was not immediately known. But Yehuda Shoshani, head of the Magen David Adom in the south, said that the number may not be so high.
Speaking to Channel 10 from the outpost, he said that there were a number of troops trapped in the wreckage. "I can see that one of its wings has collapsed," Shoshani said.
The wounded are being evacuated to Beer Sheba's Soroka Hospital. Only bullet proofed ambulances are being allowed into the area.
The IDF rushed medical crews and forces to the site of the explosion, military sources in the Gaza Strip said. Some reports said that the evacuation was being hampered by heavy gunfire and mortars on the site, but military sources could not confirm this.
The explosion happened at a fortified outpost at the Gush Junction sitting on the main north-south artery in the Gaza Strip. There were soldiers said to be trapped in the collapsed structure, military sources said.
If a confirmed attack, it would be the first successful bombing since Palestinians blew up an armored personnel carrier on May 12 along the Philadelphia corridor separating Egypt from the Gaza Strip. Five soldiers were killed in that explosion.
Palestinians have in the past burrowed tunnels underneath outposts in the past, including under the Termit outpost along the Philadelphia corridor in Rafah. This would be the first time that the method was used in the Gush Katif region.
While a victory for Palestinian terrorists, it also shows the difficulty they have in carrying out attacks outside of the heavily guarded Gaza Strip.
Channel One said the position was "totally destroyed" and that the explosion was extremely large. Military sources told the TV that there was no specific intelligence warning for this army position.
MDA said its ambulances were not being allowed into the area as a gun battle was taking place at the scene. Israel Radio reported a heavy exchange of fire between Palestinians and IDF forces in the area, hampering efforts to rescue wounded soldiers. Mortars are also being fired at forces in the area.
MDA also said that some soldiers may be trapped underneath a collapsed structure, possible a lookout position.
Gaza Strip Regional Council head Avner Shimoni, who was close to the site, told Israel the incident was "very serious". Shimoni said Gaza residents have been told to stay indoors.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1088305778186
Explosion rocks IDF position in Gaza
First report: Dozens of causalities in blast under army outpost near Kissufim artery. Others could be trapped under rubble.
Amir Buhbut
First report: A huge blast in an IDF position in the Gaza Strip caused dozens of causalities tonight. According to army officials, the explosion was most likely caused by a detonation of a tunnel rigged with explosives, which was dug under the outpost.
The explosion severely damaged the outpost and there are reports indicating that many are still trapped under the rubble. Hamas and the Fatah’s al-Aqsa Brigades both claimed responsibility for the attack.
Heavy exchanges of fire are currently reported in the area.
http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=9108
Dozens of injuries in Gush Katif
By Nir Hasson Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service
Five Israel Defense Forces soldiers were injured Sunday evening after an explosion went off at an army outpost located near the Gush Katif Junction in the Gaza Strip. Two additional soldiers were said to be trapped under the rubble of the outpost.
According to initial reports, the blast was set off by explosives planted in a tunnel dug near the base. "There are a lot of people injured at the scene," said Yeruham Mendola, a spokesman for the Magen David rescue service.
Palestinian gunmen were firing at rescue forces as they attempted to evacuate the injured form the site of the attack.
Channel Two reported that Hamas and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
The outpost hit is located at the junction of the Kissufim road and the Tanjer route, on which both Israelis and Palestinians frequently travel.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/444106.html