GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - An Israeli helicopter strike killed three Hamas militants riding in a car Wednesday, the second such targeted attack in five days and a possible sign that Israel is stepping up its campaign against militants ahead of a planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Two missiles slammed into the car, triggering a fire that bystanders tried to put out with sand and their jackets. One man, using a blanket, lifted a charred body out of the car and heaved it onto a stretcher.
| "Hey! Save that for the car swarm!" |
The Israeli military said one of those killed, 24-year-old Tarad Jamal, was behind several roadside bombings and rocket attacks on Israelis. The other two were identified as Ibrahim Deri, 34, and Amar Hassan, 21. On its Web site, Hamas indicated that the three were about to carry out an attack. "The three martyrs were on a holy mission when the Zionist U.S.-made helicopters fired two missiles toward their vehicle," the statement said.
| Zionist U.S.-made helicopters: when you care enough to send the very best. |
Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin said the Islamic militant group would keep up attacks against Israel. "The Palestinian people will continue their resistance despite this aggression," Yassin said.
| "We shall have Dire Revenge!™ |
Early Thursday, Awani Kaloub, a well-known member of the Popular Resistance Committee - an umbrella organization of militant groups responsible for several successful attacks on Israeli tanks - was killed in an explosion in his house in Rafah in southern Gaza. Palestinian security officials said he was apparently preparing a bomb that exploded prematurely. Seven of his relatives in the house were injured, they said.
| "No ... no ... no, ma'am, Mutual of Gaza does not cover medical expenses for relatives injured in a work accident ... no, ... no, not that either." |
Wednesday's strike, near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim, came just five days after Israeli helicopters fired missiles at a car in the same area, killing three militants of the Islamic Jihad group.
| =average(number_of_hardboyz, killed_in_raids) --> 3. |
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