MNeagle
31st August 2010, 01:06 PM
RAMALLAH, West Bank—Unidentified gunmen shot and killed four Israelis late Tuesday in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting outside a Jewish settlement near the West Bank town of Hebron, according to Israeli officials.
The shootings represents the most violent attack against Israelis in years in the West Bank, and come on the eve of the planned resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, slated to kick off Wednesday evening in Washington.
The attack significantly heightens tension between the two sides, at a time when both Palestinian and Israeli officials have tried to portray themselves on the international stage as ready for peace. At the same time, they have been assuring domestic audiences they aren't willing to concede too much in the talks.
An Israeli police spokesman identified the gunmen as Palestinians, though he also said they fled the scene of the crime and haven't been apprehended. The shooting took place around 7:30 p.m., and Israeli security forces have cordoned off the area and are searching for the suspects, he said.
An Israel official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was en route to Washington, had been informed.
An Israeli embassy spokesman in Washington said the incident hasn't changed the Israeli government's intentions to restart talks this week. "It impacts but shouldn't derail the talks that are coming to fruition this week," the spokesman said.
Palestinian and U.S. officials weren't immediately available to comment.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704421104575463781359214128.html?m od=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories
The shootings represents the most violent attack against Israelis in years in the West Bank, and come on the eve of the planned resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, slated to kick off Wednesday evening in Washington.
The attack significantly heightens tension between the two sides, at a time when both Palestinian and Israeli officials have tried to portray themselves on the international stage as ready for peace. At the same time, they have been assuring domestic audiences they aren't willing to concede too much in the talks.
An Israeli police spokesman identified the gunmen as Palestinians, though he also said they fled the scene of the crime and haven't been apprehended. The shooting took place around 7:30 p.m., and Israeli security forces have cordoned off the area and are searching for the suspects, he said.
An Israel official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was en route to Washington, had been informed.
An Israeli embassy spokesman in Washington said the incident hasn't changed the Israeli government's intentions to restart talks this week. "It impacts but shouldn't derail the talks that are coming to fruition this week," the spokesman said.
Palestinian and U.S. officials weren't immediately available to comment.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704421104575463781359214128.html?m od=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories