Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 4, 2008

Suicide Bomber Strikes in Dimona Near Israel's Nuclear Reactor
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B24D91:A6F02AD83191E1600E4D9F908F0F129570AD7039DCD7B7E4& Earlier Monday,
Israel said commandos killed two Palestinian gunmen and wounded a
third in a pre-dawn raid in the occupied West Bank A suicide bomber
killed at least one person and wounded at least six others in the
southern Israeli city, Dimona, Monday. Earlier, Israel said commandos
killed two Palestinian gunmen and wounded a third in a pre-dawn raid
in the occupied West Bank.  VOA's Jim Teeple reports from Jerusalem.







Scene of suicide bombing in Dimona, Israel 04 Feb 2008Witnesses say a
huge explosion rocked an industrial area in the southern city, about
10 kilometers from the site of Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor.

Dimona police official Uri Barlev told Israel's Army Radio two
attackers were involved.

Barlev says one attacker detonated his explosive belt and the other
apparently waited for people to arrive on the scene before doing so,
but was shot and killed by police before he could act. He says the
attackers had help and a high alert has been declared.

The Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade militant group, which is affiliated with
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement claimed
responsibility for the attack. Abu Walid is a spokesman for the group.

Walid says the attack was carried out by his group and by the Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine militant group and that the
attackers wanted to show they could strike Israel's most secure city.

A statement issued by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemns the
attack, but criticizes Israel for what he describes as continued
military operations against Palestinians. A spokesman for Hamas called
the attack a "glorious act."

Dimona is about 60 kilometers from Israel's border with Egypt. Israeli
authorities say they are investigating whether the attackers were part
of a group of militants who crossed into Egypt when Gaza's border with
Egypt was breached, two weeks ago.

Monday's attack was the first suicide bombing in Israel in more than a
year, since a Palestinian killed three Israelis in the southern resort
city, Eilat, after crossing into Israel from Egypt.




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