Posted on 09/08/2001 8:50:28 AM PDT by Bill Rice
Israel Retaliates Against Palestinians
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) Israeli helicopters struck offices of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday, but no injuries were reported, Palestinian witnesses said.
The Israeli army said the attack came in retaliation for shooting attacks on Israelis, including a roadside ambush Thursday that killed a soldier and seriously wounded another.
Ambulances rushed to the scene of the strike, but there were no initial reports of injuries.
Two helicopters were heard in the air moments before three missiles hit the eight-floor building, causing severe damage on the floor of the Fatah offices, witnesses said.
Carlos Zaghlool, a Fatah employee in the building, said a meeting of party officials ended just before the missiles struck.
``I was still inside when I heard some helicopters flying very close to the building,'' said Zaghlool, who managed to get out of the smoke-filled offices through the bathroom window. ``One missile entered the room.''
Marwan Barghouti, leader of the Tanzim militia that is affiliated with Fatah, accused Israel of targeting a top Fatah official, Muhammed Mansour, who had left the building moments before the attack. The army would not comment on the accusation.
Israel has repeatedly accused the Fatah party of involvement in attacks and many of its gunmen are wanted by Israel.
In a helicopter attack Thursday in Tulkarem, Israel targeted a militia leader affiliated with Fatah. The gunman, Raed Karmi, escaped with light injuries, but two other gunmen were killed.
Ha- Yeah right! Let's hope they nailed a BUNCH of those murdering bastards!
I wonder if Zaghlool took the time to clean out his pants before he "escaped through the bathroom window".
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