Ha'aretz (www.haaretzdaily.com) reports that Palestinian terrorists have deliberately murdered 5 Israelis in Beit Shean, a city in the north of Israel:

At least five Israelis were killed and some 30 injured in an attack by two terrorists Thursday afternoon who opened fire on people voting in the Likud leadership primary at the party branch in the northern town of Beit She'an.

Thirteen people were in serious condition and seven sustained moderate wounds. Most of the injured were evacuated to Haemek Hospital in Afula and Poriya Hospital in Tiberias.

The Al Aqsa Martyrs` Brigade - which is linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction - claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to initial reports, at around 3:20 P.M. two terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at people crowding around the Likud branch, which is located in the town's main bus station. Both terrorists were killed by security forces who arrived at the scene of the attack. One of the two was said to be wearing an explosive belt.

I copy the full article below.

5 killed in shooting attack on Likud branch in Beit She'an
By Amos Harel and Jalal Bana, Ha'aretz Correspondents and Ha'aretz Service
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/
hasen/pages/Flash1.html

At least five Israelis were killed and some 30 injured in an attack by two terrorists Thursday afternoon who opened fire on people voting in the Likud leadership primary at the party branch in the northern town of Beit She'an.

Thirteen people were in serious condition and seven sustained moderate wounds. Most of the injured were evacuated to Haemek Hospital in Afula and Poriya Hospital in Tiberias.

The Al Aqsa Martyrs` Brigade - which is linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction - claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to initial reports, at around 3:20 P.M. two terrorists opened fire and threw grenades at people crowding around the Likud branch, which is located in the town's main bus station. Both terrorists were killed by security forces who arrived at the scene of the attack. One of the two was said to be wearing an explosive belt.

In response to some eyewitness accounts of a third gunman in the attack, Northern District commander Yaacov Borovsky said that police were continuing their search efforts in the area.

Beit She'an Mayor Pini Kabalo said the attack began in the main bus station and that the terrorists then moved on to the Likud branch which is some 50 meters away.

"They fired hundreds of bullets," said Kabalo. "It began in the area of the bus terminal that is adjacent to the Likud branch. From there, they went to the Likud branch and saw the crowds and fired in all directions and hit many people."

Rafi Ben-Sheetrit, the chairman of the Likud branch in Beit She'an, said he and others were standing at the entrance to the branch office when the attack began. "Suddenly we heard two loud blasts, probably grenades, and massive shooting, bursts, towards the voters. People ran away," he said.

He said one of the attackers was killed by a security guard.

"I saw one of the terrorists. He was tall, wearing a khaki jacket," one eyewitness told Army Radio. "He smiled, a cynical smile, and just kept firing and firing. People were screaming, fleeing, there was total hysteria."

The attack comes as Likud members are going to the polls across the country to choose their candidate for prime minister in the coming elections. Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is challenging Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the leadership of the center-right party.

Three of former Likud minister David Levy's children were among those wounded in the attack, one seriously while the two others suffered light injuries. Levy is competing for a spot on the Likud list of Knesset candidates.

Israel Radio reported that the voting would proceed. Polls are scheduled to close at 10:00 P.M.

Emergency numbers:
Haemek Hospital - 1255165
Poriya Hospital - 1255162

Posted by David Melle
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