The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) said the five men killed when their car exploded in the Gaza Strip were members of its armed wing and blamed Israel for their deaths.
"The Israeli occupation forces committed a crime of assassination against five members of the Brigade of Palestinian National Resistance", the armed wing of Naif Hawatme's DFLP, it said in a statement received by Albawaba.com.
"This crime of continued assassination and the terrorist policy of (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon ... shows the Israeli government is going ahead with its bloody plan and does care about political efforts," it said, vowing revenge for the deaths.
Eyewitnesses said an Israeli helicopter was observed in the area at the time of the blast. But Israel Radio reported the men had been killed by a "work accident," Israel's term for a premature explosion of a bomb being prepared or transported by Palestinian activists.
The killed men identified as Majed Abu Muammar, 28; Naser Abu Muammar, 29; Ibrahim Jarbu Ghatas, 27; Ayman al Bahadari, 30; Naser Abu Adrah, 33.
The explosion took place near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Egypt.
Israeli military sources said Monday that the four were not among Palestinians wanted persons suspected of links with military activities. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
