At 7:30 PM last night, an Arab wearing an IDF uniform and armed with an M-16 rifle and a grenade infiltrated the Jordan Valley agricultural community of Hamra, murdering three Jews and injuring three others. The three victims, Miri Ochana, 50, her 11-year-old daughter Yael, and IDF First Sergeant Moshe Makonan Majus, 33, will be laid to rest today.
The terrorist entered the community near the hothouses and opened fire at a security patrol driven by Yitzhak Orenstein, the deputy security officer. Orenstein had left his home minutes earlier following intelligence community warnings that a terrorist left the PLO-controlled village of Tubas on his way to carry out an attack.
Orenstein said, \"We received a warning at about 7:20 PM that a terrorist was in the area. We deployed the soldiers and were on alert. Suddenly, shots rang out.\"
Miri Ochana, 50, and her 11-year-old daughter Yael, were in their home when the lone terrorist knocked at the door. They opened the door to what appeared to be an IDF soldier, and the terrorist immediately took them hostage. The Arab began firing at civilians and IDF soldiers who were at the scene. First Sergeant Moshe Majus was killed by the gunfire.
As IDF anti-terrorist forces raided the house, the Arab turned his gun on the mother and daughter hostages. Miri was gravely wounded and transported by military helicopter to Jerusalem\'s Hadassah Hospital, where she died a short time later. Yael was pronounced dead on the scene.
Army Central Commander Major-General Yitzhak Eitan has ordered an investigation into the attack. He explains that even though the Arab was dressed as a soldier, the infiltration should have concluded at the entrance gate and should not have resulted in the loss of life.
Israeli leaders said that this attack once again proves that Arafat has yet to make good on his promises to combat terrorism.
In retaliation, the IDF Air Force last night bombed the PLO headquarters in Shechem. Arab sources report that 11 persons were wounded in the aerial assault.
The terrorist entered the community near the hothouses and opened fire at a security patrol driven by Yitzhak Orenstein, the deputy security officer. Orenstein had left his home minutes earlier following intelligence community warnings that a terrorist left the PLO-controlled village of Tubas on his way to carry out an attack.
Orenstein said, \"We received a warning at about 7:20 PM that a terrorist was in the area. We deployed the soldiers and were on alert. Suddenly, shots rang out.\"
Miri Ochana, 50, and her 11-year-old daughter Yael, were in their home when the lone terrorist knocked at the door. They opened the door to what appeared to be an IDF soldier, and the terrorist immediately took them hostage. The Arab began firing at civilians and IDF soldiers who were at the scene. First Sergeant Moshe Majus was killed by the gunfire.
As IDF anti-terrorist forces raided the house, the Arab turned his gun on the mother and daughter hostages. Miri was gravely wounded and transported by military helicopter to Jerusalem\'s Hadassah Hospital, where she died a short time later. Yael was pronounced dead on the scene.
Army Central Commander Major-General Yitzhak Eitan has ordered an investigation into the attack. He explains that even though the Arab was dressed as a soldier, the infiltration should have concluded at the entrance gate and should not have resulted in the loss of life.
Israeli leaders said that this attack once again proves that Arafat has yet to make good on his promises to combat terrorism.
In retaliation, the IDF Air Force last night bombed the PLO headquarters in Shechem. Arab sources report that 11 persons were wounded in the aerial assault.