Suicide bombers target Israeli buses

November 2, 1995

Web posted at: 8 a.m. EST (1300 GMT)

GUSH KATIF, Gaza Strip (CNN) -- Islamic Jihad has vowed to avenge the killing of its leader, Fathi Shakaki, and the militant Muslim group might have done just that Thursday morning. Two car bombers targeted Israeli buses in the Gaza Strip, getting close to only one of them. Both bombers were killed when their vehicles exploded; 11 people suffered minor injuries.

The bombings occurred near the Jewish settlement of Gush Katif in an area jointly patrolled by Israeli and Palestinian forces. In the first incident, a vehicle blew up as a bus carrying Israeli child care workers passed it on the road.

Learning of the bombing, Israeli military escorts kept another bus from leaving Gush Katif. The second car exploded about 50 yards away.

Israeli Radio reported Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings. Palestinian police blamed the group, as well.

Shakaki was assassinated in Malta last week; Islamic Jihad blamed on Israeli agents. The Israeli government has not claimed responsibility the killing.

Islamic Jihad has carried out a series of bombings over the past two years in opposition to the peace process between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel.



