Another Tank Blown Up; Three Soldiers Killed

Arutz 7 ^ | March 15, 2002 | staff

[Nachum]

Three Israeli soldiers were killed this morning near the Netzarim junction in Gaza. Terrorists hiding behind a building near the road detonated a powerful roadside bomb by remote control while the tank passed by. The names of two victims have been released: Sgt. Rotem Shani, 19, of Hod HaSharon, and Sgt. Matan Biderman, 21, of Karmiel. Two tank crewmen were wounded - one in moderate condition.

Shlomo Kustiner of Netzarim told Arutz-7 that the explosive was similar in many ways to that which blew up a Merkavah tank last month, also killing three soldiers. When asked how is it that the army is unable to prevent such attacks on what is essentially a short stretch of road [between Karni in northern Gaza and Netzarim], Kustiner said, "This will have to be investigated, although in truth the army has been successful most of the time. In this case, however, there is a series of abandoned buildings behind which the terrorists hide, and the army has not razed them - possibly because of the recent Supreme Court ruling. We have demanded many times that these buildings be taken down..."

Last night, a Palestinian terrorist was killed after firing at an Israeli vehicle at the Kisufim entrance to Gush Katif. No Israelis were hurt. Automatic weapons, magazines and grenades were found on the terrorist's body.

[a_witness]

Last night, a Palestinian terrorist was killed after firing at an Israeli vehicle at the Kisufim entrance to Gush Katif. No Israelis were hurt. Automatic weapons, magazines and grenades were found on the terrorist's body.

Bush and Powell are not going to be happy.

[liberallarry]

Tanks are expensive. Not good.

[green team 1999]

The Merkava is the innovative Israeli design of Major General Israel Tal. The primary design criteria was crew survivability. Every part of the overall design is expected to contribute to helping the crew survive. The engine is in the front to provide protection to the crew.
There is a special protective umbrella for the tank commander to enable protection from indirect fire with the hatches open. Special "spaced armor" is in use along with protected fuel and ammo compartments.
Rear ammunition stowage is combined with a rear entrance and exit.
Since the rounds are stowed in containers that can be removed from the vehicle whenever necessary, this space can accommodate tank crewmen who have been forced to abandon their vehicles, or, if thought to be appropriate, even infantrymen.
Rear ammunition stowage allows replenishment much more easily than if rounds have to be replaced in a carousel in the hull center, as in typical Russian vehicles.
Tank soldiers have long admired Merkava's rear entrance and exit, recognizing that it would allow them to mount and dismount unobserved by the enemy and would provide an excellent alternative escape route.
The Merkava can also carry a small Infantry squad internally under complete armored protection.

[jerrymdss]

Here we go in circles again. Israel will pull-back and the terrorists will continue.

I would have hoped that Bush would have insisted that the terrorists be dismantled by force if necessary.

[Lady GOP]

Am equally disturbed about this. Since when do we play "lets make a deal" with terrorist..?

[a_witness]

Am equally disturbed about this. Since when do we play "lets make a deal" with terrorist..?

Clinton, Bush, same old story, the only difference is they did not attack our capital and WTC with Clinton !

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[a_witness]

I would have hoped that Bush would have insisted that the terrorists be dismantled by force if necessary.

Bush is false. It hurts, but is better to face it now. Be not deceived.

[Frohickey]

Okay, thats 2 tanks blown up. Either the tanks are not being made like they used to or that the Palestinians are getting better weaponry.

There was an earlier article about how in the first Intifada, the Palestinian/Jewish killed ratio was like 25:1, but now, its like 3:1. This does not bode well for Israel. There are a lot more Arabs than Jews.

[Lady GOP]

Three Israeli soldiers were killed this morning near the Netzarim junction in Gaza. Terrorists hiding behind a building near the road detonated a powerful roadside bomb by remote control while the tank passed by.

Arafat, Mr Dumbell...and his goons should be right on top of bringing the terrorists to justice.

[a_witness]

There are a lot more Arabs than Jews.

Billy Carter, Colin Powell, and George Bush all concluded the same thing.

[jerrymdss]

Exactly. Who is fooling who here? Does anyone really expect that talking of a Palestinian state, a few words from Annan and sending over Zinni is going to have any effect on the terrorists withdrawling from their barbaric acts of terrorism against civilians?

[a_witness]

Exactly. Who is fooling who here?

Bush was fooling us.

Does anyone really expect that talking of a Palestinian state, a few words from Annan and sending over Zinni is going to have any effect on the terrorists withdrawling from their barbaric acts of terrorism against civilians?

The first victory of Bush's War on Terror will be the establishment of another Islamic Terrorist State.

Will this not be the time of Jacob's trouble ?

[LarryLied]

But Jewish lives are cheap to the Bush State Dept.

A shame isn't it? Especially after Jews worked as hard as they could and donated millions of dollars to get Gore elected. Elderly Jews (over 65) voted in droves too, poor things. They went for Gore even more than blacks did. 95%! Hope Bernard Schwartz gives the DNC and DNCC a few million more bucks. Hopefully, we will only have a few more years of the "Bush State Departement" which thinks Jewish lives are cheap.

[mamelukesabre]

Sounds like a nifty design.......could double as a personel carrier when munition stores are removed.....cool.

[Lady GOP]

Looks like they are desperate to get the parties to the table. At what cost..? Arafat has never been held accountable for any of the attacks and yet Israel is when it strikes back. Why on earth would anyone want to make a deal with this serpent, let alone provide him a Pal state. Then they can grow even more terrorists.

How absurd..whats wrong is right and right is wrong. Am getting pretty sick of the UN's involvement in all this also. Israel knows what is in its best interest.