In the terrorist attacks on Road 12 northwest of Eilat, terrorists who apparently infiltrated the border from Sinai killed eight people and wounded 30 in four incidents. Security forces eventually killed seven terrorists. The incident, which began at midday, was over by 2 pm.
"Several Magen David Adom units are at the scenes. Five critically wounded people are in the field," Magen David Adom director general Eli Bin. Magen David Adom personnel struggled to reach the wounded because of the exchanges of fire with the terrorists.
In the first attack, terrorists fired on Egged bus 392 traveling from Eilat on Road 12, which runs along the border with Sinai. Nine people were wounded in the attack. In a second attack 20 kilometers to the north, an antitank rocket was fired at a private car, critically wounding its five occupants. There was also a third shooting incident at in the area.
Bus driver Gil Toshiya continued driving despite the shooting, probably preventing more casualties. IDF troops and rescue personnel quickly reached the scene, treated the wounded, and evacuated them to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat.
According to reports, three terrorists traveling in a private car followed the bus, before stopping and shooting at it. They escaped the scene in their car, making additional attacks.
The IDF launched two helicopters to spot the terrorists.
An IDF spokesman told Channel 2 News, "There has been a vacuum in Sinai lately, which has enabled terrorist cells to position themselves there. This may be a spin off by a cell or several cells. This was a complex and sophisticated attack."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 18, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011