8.6.03
Palestinian gunmen kill 5 Israeli soldiers
Palestinian gunmen killed 5 Israeli soldiers in two separate attacks. Four were killed at the Erez checkpoint in the northern Gaza Strip, while one was shot dead in Hebron. Five militants in the atacks were also killed.UPDATE: The three gunmen who carried out the Gaza attack were from Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Al Aqsa Brigade. The Guardian adds this detail on the claim:
In a leaflet claiming responsibility, the groups said that the three men had set off from Beit Hanoun, a northern Gaza town under Israeli control. This meant the Palestinian Authority could not be directly blamed for security lapses which led to the attack.Adds reaction from Powell, Rice.
