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Seven killed in series of terrorist attacks in southern Israel

At least 26 wounded after armed gunmen fired on bus traveling near Eilat, close to Egypt border; IDF trades fire with gunmen; mortars fired from Egyptian border; IDF kills several terrorists.

By Anshel Pfeffer, Revital Levy-Stein, Yanir Yagna and Haaretz

Seven people were killed and at least 26 people were wounded Thursday in a series of terrorist attacks on Israeli targets approximately 20 kilometers north of the southern city of Eilat, close to the border with Egypt.

The first attack, at around 12 P.M., was a drive-by shooting targeting Egged bus 392 traveling from Be'er Sheva to Eilat, near the Netafim junction.

Shortly afterward, IDF forces rushed to the scene and were faced with several explosive devices that were detonated alongside an IDF vehicle.

At approximately 12:35, a mortar was fired from Egypt to Israel. No casualties were reported.

At 1:10 P.M., a terrorist cell fired an anti-tank missile at a private vehicle, wounding seven.

Minutes later, another cell fired an anti-tank missile at a private vehicle, killing six.

The IDF Spokesman reported that two to four terrorists were killed during the clashes.

According to reports, the terrorists in the car opened fire at the Egged bus, which carried a significant number of soldiers leaving their bases for the weekend.

In the aftermath of the first attack, Israeli security forces launched a search for the vehicle thought to have transported the gunmen, setting up barricades in the area. A firefight erupted once the IDF troops caught up with the vehicle, in which several of the armed men were killed.

Two IDF helicopters were called to the scene in order to evacuate those wounded to Yoseftal hospital in Eilat and to Soroka hospital in Be'er Sheva.

Israeli social justice campaigners cancel weekend protests after attacks in south

Head of Israel's student union says nationwide rallies, including 'central' demonstration in Jerusalem, have been called off.

By Reuters

Israel's student union on Thursday called off planned weekend demonstrations against the high cost of living after a series of terror attacks in the south left seven people dead.

"There were meant to be protests throughout the country, with a central rally in Jerusalem, and we decided given the events to cancel them," union head Itzik Shmueli told Army Radio following the attacks near Israel's border with Egypt.

He added that a popular campaign against the government's economic policy, which kicked off last month and has drawn hundreds of thousands of Israelis onto the streets in mass demonstrations, would continue.

Russian Emigres Hungry for News

September 14, 2004 | Ann M. Simmons, Times Staff Writer

In the continuing aftermath of the deadly siege of a school in southern Russia, only one thing can satisfy the cravings of Los Angeles' Russian-speaking community: news. But many wonder where to get information and, moreover, what to believe.