This would not be the first time Israel has been a victim of Blow-Back. Ranks right up with Operation Susannah if that is the case.
How strange that the story should be on the UPI newsdesk on 6/18/2002, if they tried to peddle it in February 2001 :).
Sorry, this isn't corroborating anything, or providing evidence. It's just the uncorroborated story being repeated by presumably the same source (and don't give me an "UPI is reputable"-spiel :).
Follow the source. Mr. Sale seems to be sort of your twin, Mr. Lied ;)).
What is "Blow-Back"?