blank

Voice of America ®

Trusted Source of News & Information since 1942

About VOA | Contact VOA News

  • Tuesday, 24 November 2009
  • Latest News:

News RSS Feeds RSS Feed

Israel Targets Islamic Jihad Militants

Share This

Israeli air strikes killed a senior Islamic Jihad militant in a Gaza refugee camp late Thursday. The attack followed the arrest of another Islamic Jihad representative in the West Bank earlier in the day.  The Israeli actions come one day after an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber killed five Israelis.

Witnesses at the Jebaliya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip say Israeli warplanes fired missiles at a car, killing at least five people, including a senior Islamic Jihad militant.

A number of bystanders were also wounded in the attack.

Earlier, Israeli troops entered the town of Jenin in the West Bank, to arrest a local leader of Islamic Jihad, the group that claimed responsibility for Wednesday's suicide bombing in the Israeli city of Hadera. 

Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, vowed on Thursday to wage a continuous war against the militants.

Mr. Sharon says he believes that, unfortunately, the Palestinian Authority has not taken serious steps to combat terrorism.

The Israeli prime minister says he has also ruled out talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas until Mr. Abbas takes serious action against armed groups.  Mr. Abbas has condemned the suicide attack, but says Israeli incursions into Palestinian territory undermine his authority.  

A statement from chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Thursday condemned the Israeli actions, calling them ominous assaults on the cause of peace.  An unofficial ceasefire between Palestinian factions and Israel has been in effect for most of this year.

Welcome to the new VOANews.com


We'd like to hear what you think of the site - please e-mail us: NewDesign@VOANews.com

Video Features

From the Newsroom

From the Newsroom

Afghan Politics - Analysis by Gary Thomas

More »

GoingGreen

Going Green

Watch: The United States debates cutting its carbon dioxide emissions.

More »

Money in Motion

Money in Motion

Watch: Will the declining dollar remain the world's reserve currency?

More »

Now You Know

Now You Know

Watch: A look at the origin and history of the Internet.

More »

The Link

The Link

Have you discovered a Web link you'd like to share with the world?

More »

Most Popular Articles

Special Reports

VOA Blogs

Most E-mailed Articles