Karni crossing.
Karni crossing.

Palestinian Authority terrorists shot and seriously wounded an Electric Company worker who was repairing a line near the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Gaza border on Monday.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Hamas terrorists took responsibility for the attack, which occurred shortly before noon in an area close to Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the Karni border crossing.  The crossing was closed in response to the attack.

 

“The (Hamas) Kassam Brigades has announced its responsibility for shooting a Zionist [Israeli] and firing two mortar bombs against a gathering of Zionist soldiers near the Karni crossing," read a statement by the Hamas terrorist organization, adding, "Our strikes against the enemy will continue." 

 

The 40-year-old victim was shot in the leg and is being treated in Be'er Sheva's SorokaHospital for moderate wounds.



The Karni crossing recently reopened on a more consistent basis in response to pressure from the international community to keep the cargo terminal open. Israel frequently closed it in the past due to warnings of terrorist attacks.

 

More than 40 explosive devices have been found by IDF personnel along the Gaza border fence and hundreds of Kassam rockets have been fired at western Negev communities since a limited ceasefire was signed by Israel and the PA at the end of November 2006.



Monday’s attack came three days after Hamas officials were sworn in with their rival Fatah partners in a new unity government that brought the two factions together after a year of internecine fighting. The unity deal, which was negotiated last month in Mecca with the “assistance” of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, was aimed at ending the bloody clashes.

 

Despite the installation of the new government on Saturday, however, sporadic violence between terrorist groups in Gaza has continued.