In a string of attacks on a civilian bus, a military patrol and a private vehicle in southern Israel on midday Thursday, militants killed seven Israelis and wounded dozens others, local media reported.
The Israeli police bomb squad experts were attempting to defuse explosive-laden vests found on the bodies of several militants killed in a firefight with counter-terrorism forces earlier near the southern port city of Eilat, according to the reports.
Although the authorities did not issue details of the attacks or confirm the number of fatalities, local media reported at least seven Israelis were killed, and the same number of attackers died.
According to witnesses, in the first incident, militants armed with assault rifles ambushed a bus travelling on the Arava Highway, some 30 km from Eilat. Ten passengers, sustaining light to moderate wounds, had been evacuated to Eilat's Yoseftal Medical Center.
The bus driver told the Israel Radio that the militants passed him in a vehicle and cut him off. They then emerged from the car and opened fire on the bus and another approaching vehicle. Two children aboard the bus, aged four and seven respectively, were wounded.
The Israeli army troops, who had been summoned to rescue the bus passengers, were hit by an explosive device and met with mortar fire, according to local reports, meanwhile, seven gunmen were reportedly killed in exchange of fire with the Israeli forces dispatched to the area, Israel TV Channel 10 reported.
However, most of the fatalities occurred when the militants fired an anti-tank weapon, possibly a rocket propelled grenade, towards a private vehicle travelling near Eilat.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, in a statement, vowed that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would punish the perpetrators, and said "this was a grave terror attack at multiple scenes that originated from Gaza. We will strike the terrorists with all our force and determination."
Barak, who had flown to the area to oversee military operations to hunt down the assailants, also said in the statement the attacks "reflect Egypt's failing to hold on the Sinai (Peninsula) and the rise of terror elements."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been briefed by the security establishment of the situation and has been guiding their operations.
Many initial reports were unconfirmed and inaccurate due to the long distance between the separate attacks in the sprawling desert area, and reporters were unable to reach the scene as the Israeli forces are still trading fire with the militants.
Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz who had arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, are expected to hold a press conference to provide an update on the complex series of events.
XINHUA
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