In what Israel considered the deadliest Palestinian attack in four years following the assault in southern Tel Aviv where eight were killed and 26 others were injured, the Jewish state imposed a full closure on the West Bank and Gaza, and canceled all the work and entry permits recently issued to Palestinians, reported Haaretz newspaper.
It also reinstated roadblocks around major cities in the West Bank and Gaza, shut down the airport in Gaza, and closed border crossings leading from the territories into Egypt and Jordan, except for people going on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
In addition, a naval blockade imposed on Tuesday will continue, and senior Palestinian Authority officials are barred from entering Israel, said the paper.
According to Radio Israel, four female soldiers, three male and a civilian woman were killed in the incident.
The military wing of the Islamic Resistance Hamas movement, Izzadine Qassam Brigades, and a previously unknown group have claimed responsibility for the attack.
An anonymous person called the radio, claiming that Hamas carried out the assault.
In a statement faxed to Al Jazira satellite channel, meanwhile, the Return Brigades said the "operation was in retaliation for the assassination of Martyr Masoud Ayyad and the shelling of Khan Younis camp."
Ayyad was killed Tuesday when an Israeli helicopter rocketed his car in Jabalia camp, while 90 Palestinians were injured in the raid against the camp, where Israeli forces reportedly used a mysterious gas against the civilians.
According to the Israeli Radio, the attack was initiated as an individual act. Israeli police investigations say that the driver was not directed by any organization.
The Palestinians also share the same belief. Secretary of the Palestinian cabinet, Ahemd Abdel-Rahman told AFP that the attack was not planned and directed by any movement, but it reflects the anger of the Palestinians over the Israeli atrocities.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Barak called the attack an "abominable crime" and charged that Palestinian Authority's incitement "creates an atmosphere that encourages fatal attacks," The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted him as saying Tuesday.
Barak told Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar that "the world must use its influence on the Palestinian Authority, and the person who heads it, to put an end to the violence and terror."
“Arafat's refusal to halt the violence, much of which is instigated and implemented by PA officials, "should prevent him from enjoying the international status of a head of state," Barak said.
Barak also told Aznar it was impossible to ease economic sanctions on the PA while the violence continued, said the Post, adding that Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon gave Aznar an identical message.
Arafat, according to AFP, declined to condemn the attack, saying at first that it was Israel's fault for inflaming Palestinian public opinion through its "military escalation." He said later that it was not even a terrorist attack but a "traffic accident."
Sharon said the attack once again proved "that Palestinian terrorists see no difference between Tel Aviv, Hebron, Hadera or Ariel," said Haaretz.
He added that restoring security to Israel's citizens would be his government's top priority.
The paper added that US President George Bush called Barak to offer condolences for the attack, and said he has instructed Secretary of State Colin Powell to demand that Arafat take immediate steps to end the violence.
Behind the attack was Ala Khalil Abu Elba, 35, a father of five, who is now in custody, said Haaretz.
Abu Elba has worked for the Israeli Egged bus company for five years ferrying Palestinian workers from Gaza to Israel. He had a full security clearance from the Shin Beit security service from last month.
The paper added that on orders from Barak, the Shin Bet started to look for new ways to screen Palestinians before they are allowed to enter Israel.
Under all the accepted criteria, age, marital status, family, and a total lack of any past suspicious activities, Abu Elbeh was considered safe. "If we can't trust people like him every Palestinian can be a threat," said one official – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
