Post by Salem6 on Feb 26, 2004 10:11:16 GMT
Two Palestinian gunmen have attacked the Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, killing at least one Israeli, military officials said.
The Israeli soldiers returned fire and shot dead the two gunmen, they added.
The Palestinian militant group, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security has been tight at the crossing since January when a female Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up, killing four Israelis.
Palestinian sources said there was a fierce exchange of fire in the early morning attack.
Reports say the gunfire lasted for some time, injuring several civilians before the gunmen were shot dead.
Israel has now closed the crossing.
Security measures
Erez is one of the few places that Palestinians from Gaza and Israelis come face to face.
Palestinians passing through the checkpoint must lift their shirts to show they are not armed with explosives.
As a result of the tighter checks, many Palestinians arrive at the crossing at 0200 local time each day to begin their journey to work, correspondents say.
The Israeli soldiers returned fire and shot dead the two gunmen, they added.
The Palestinian militant group, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security has been tight at the crossing since January when a female Palestinian suicide bomber blew herself up, killing four Israelis.
Palestinian sources said there was a fierce exchange of fire in the early morning attack.
Reports say the gunfire lasted for some time, injuring several civilians before the gunmen were shot dead.
Israel has now closed the crossing.
Security measures
Erez is one of the few places that Palestinians from Gaza and Israelis come face to face.
Palestinians passing through the checkpoint must lift their shirts to show they are not armed with explosives.
As a result of the tighter checks, many Palestinians arrive at the crossing at 0200 local time each day to begin their journey to work, correspondents say.