Itamar attack (2002)

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Itamar attack (2002)
Part of the Second Intifada

The attack site
Location Itamar, West Bank, (Area C)
Coordinates 32°10′20.57″N 35°18′29.62″E / 32.1723806°N 35.3082278°E / 32.1723806; 35.3082278
Date 20 June 2002
Circa 21:00 (GMT+2)
Attack type Shooting attack
Weapon(s) Rifle
Deaths 5 (including 3 children) + 2 attackers
Injured (non-fatal) 2 children

The Itamar attack, was an attack that took place on Thursday night of June 20, 2002 around 21:00 in which two Palestinian militants broke into a civilian house in the Israeli settlement of Itamar in the West Bank, killing the Shabo family, murdering a mother and her three sons, while injuring two children. Later on the militants also killed the commander of the rescue squad during his attempt to free civilians trapped in the house. The two gunmen were killed and eight Israelis wounded when soldiers stormed the house.

This was the second attack on Itamar in less than a month.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack

The militants arrived at Itamar shortly after 21:00 and started shooting in all directions. They then broke into a civilian home, murdered a mother Rachel (age 40) and her three sons: Neria (age 15), Zvika (age 12) and Avishai (age 5). One of the militants shot and wounded Asahel (age 10), whose injury has later defined as severe, and Avia (age 13), whose injury was later defined as moderate to severe.[1][2]

The settlements' security unit was alerted to the site as soon as they heard the gunfire. The security unit was the first team to exchange fire with the militants and the first team whom attempted to rescue the civilians trapped in the house. Yoseph Twito (age 31), father of five, whom commanded the security squad, was killed during his attempt to rescue civilians trapped in the house by the Palestinian militants whom barricaded themselves in the house.

Later on, many IDF and Border Police forces surrounded the house and exchanged fire with the militants. Yamas forces arrived at the site as well, and began preparing to break into the house. An hour later the soldiers broke into the house. During the exchange of fire one of the militants was killed. The second militant attempted to flee the house through a window but was killed after a brief battle in a nearby house.[3]

During the takeover, eight Israelis were injured and the house burst into flames.[2][4] Ambulances carrying the wounded were delayed by roadblocks and pelted with stones.[5]

The father of the family, Boaz, wasn't injured in the attack. Two additional family members - the children Yariv and Ataya were not injured in the attack as well.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for the attack.[2][3]

Fatalities

  • Yosef Twito, 31[6]
  • Rachel Shabo, 40
  • Neria Shabo, 15
  • Avishai Shabo, 5
  • Zvika Shabo, 12

References

  1. ↑ "Rachel, Avishai, Zvika and Neria Shabo". mfa.gov.il. 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kifner, John (June 21, 2002). "MIDEAST TURMOIL: THE OVERVIEW; PALESTINIANS KILL 5 ISRAELI SETTLERS IN RAID ON A HOME - New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 October 2011. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "BBC NEWS | Middle East | West Bank gunmen kill five settlers". BBC News. 21 June 2002. Retrieved 16 October 2011. "The two gunmen who carried out the raid" 
  4. ↑ "Gunmen hit Jewish settlement -- 5 dead / Israeli forces roll into West Bank, search homes, arrest hundreds". San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco: Hearst). June 21, 2002. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 16 October 2011. 
  5. ↑ "5 Killed At Settlement; Israel Rallies Reserves - New York Daily News". articles.nydailynews.com. 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2011. "Ambulances carrying the wounded out of the settlement, which is surrounded by Palestinians, were delayed by roadblocks and pelted with stones." 
  6. ↑ http://old.btselem.org/statistics/english/Casualties_Data.asp?Category=5&region=WB&sD=29&sM=09&sY=2000&eD=26&eM=12&eY=2008&filterby=event&oferet_stat=before

See also

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