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Deadly attacks

August 18, 2011

Israel says it will respond with force to a 'terrorist attack' that left at least five people dead near the Egyptian border. Hamas has praised the attacks, but so far no group has claimed responsibility.

https://p.dw.com/p/12J0V
the interior of a damaged passenger bus after the attack in southern Israel
A passenger bus was raked by gunfireImage: dapd

A spate of attacks on vehicles in southern Israel left at least five people dead and 25 wounded on Thursday. Gunmen opened fire on a bus and blasted two other vehicles near the city of Eilat along the Egyptian border.

Three gunmen believed to be behind the attacks were shot dead by Israeli forces who rushed to the scene.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the source of the attacks was the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and vowed to respond "with full force and determination."

a damaged passenger bus is seen after an attack in southern Israel
The attacks occured near the Red Sea resort town of EilatImage: dapd

"This is a very serious terror incident at a number of locations. The incident reflects the weakness of the Egyptian hold on Sinai and the expansion of activity there by terror elements," Barak said.

The Islamist Hamas movement welcomed Thursday's attacks, but denied responsibility.

"I don't think Hamas is behind these attacks, we praise them since they were against soldiers," senior Hamas official Ahmed Yousef told the German Press Agency.

Author: Sarah Harman (dpa, Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Susan Houlton