Following a familiar pattern of becoming more intense just as Israel shows willingness to make concessions – i.e., Sharon’s remarks regarding Beit El and Shilo – Palestinian terrorism has abruptly acted up once again. A soldier was killed in Shechem early this morning, while two Israelis were murdered a few hours later at the Karni Checkpoint between Gaza and the Negev.

In Shechem this morning, an armed Arab opened fire at Israeli forces, and then took shelter in a building near the A-Najah University. Israeli forces besieged the building, in which two other terrorists were also hiding. At the end of the fiery gun battle, the first terrorist was dead, while on the Israeli side, one soldier was killed, another was seriously wounded, and another was lightly hurt. The other terrorists gave themselves up.

The fallen soldier is Lt. Daniel Mandel, 24, of Alon Shvut, the son of immigrants from Canada. His funeral will depart from Alon Shvut later this afternoon, and he will be buried in nearby Kfar Etzion.

Earlier this morning, Israeli forces carried out operations to arrest terrorists in two additional locations in Shechem, apprehending the local PFLP chief Abu Hamish and three wanted Tanzim terrorists.

The second murderous attack today:
At the Karni Crossing, a very heavily-used crossing point for Arabs crossing from PA-controlled Gaza into pre-1967 Israel, a terrorist suddenly opened fire in all directions. Two Israeli citizens were murdered and three others were wounded before an IDF force was able to kill the terrorist, who apparently arrived by truck without arousing suspicions. The wounded victims, together with four other people who suffered from shock, were taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon and Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, where they are listed in “moderate” and “light” condition. Hamas announced that it had carried out the murderous attack.

A Gaza Coast Regional Coast spokesman noted that the Karni Crossing, established during the Oslo period, was designed as a symbol of goodwill by Israel towards the PA. Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced that the crossing would be closed until further notice.

Shortly after the murderous attack, an anti-tank missile was fired at Israeli vehicles on the Karni-Netzarim road.

South of Hevron, another attack was thwarted today. An Arab driver approached a manned checkpoint and attempted to run down the soldiers. The latter fired, wounded him and took him into custody.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2003 and is filed under hotnews.