Post by Messenger on Apr 4, 2008 14:48:01 GMT -5
Dichter Aide Injured in Gaza Sharpshooter Attack
by Gil Ronen
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter's personal aide, Mati Gil, suffered light to moderate injuries Friday morning when the minister's entourage came under fire from a Gaza gunman. Gil, 30, a resident of Jerusalem, was hit in the groin by what was deemed to be a sharpshooter's bullet. He was taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. A new terror group called "the Ummah Army," which is identified with Al Qaeda, took responsibility for the attack.
The gunmen fired at the minister's entourage when the group visited Nizmit Hill, near Kibbutz Nir Am. The group was at the Nabi Meri lookout at the top of the hill, when it was hit by bursts of gunfire.
Dichter was not hit. He and the other members of the group lay on the ground, and Dichter asked all those present to remain calm. When the group began descending, Gil called out and said he had been hit and was unable to move. Ambulances were called in and they evacuated him.
Dichter told newsmen that "the IDF functioned in an excellent way and immediately fired back at the sources of fire until the fire ceased. Then ambulances were called in and arrived in a few minutes' time." Dichter went on to Barzilai Hospital, to accompany his aide.
Dichter had been visiting the lookout point with several dozen people, most of them visitors who came to identify with Sderot. Some of the visitors were from Canada, and were being guided by activist Eddy Azran of Sderot. "Suddenly a burst of gunfire cut across the hill and bullets started whizzing between our legs," Azran told Ynet.
"After we evacuated everyone and the army returned fire at the sources of fire, I ran to the car and took out the first aid equipment that is always on me. I and the minister's driver dragged the injured man to safety… We checked if anyone else was hurt and evacuated the group by foot, because we had difficulty going near the cars.
The group of visitors included "children and adults, Jews and non-Jews," Azran said.
In February, a short range terrorist rocket exploded near the Sapir Academy at Sderot, not far from where Minister Dichter was at the time. One of Dichter's security men was lightly injured.
In March, a Grad rocket exploded in Ashkelon, near Dichter's home
by Gil Ronen
Public Security Minister Avi Dichter's personal aide, Mati Gil, suffered light to moderate injuries Friday morning when the minister's entourage came under fire from a Gaza gunman. Gil, 30, a resident of Jerusalem, was hit in the groin by what was deemed to be a sharpshooter's bullet. He was taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. A new terror group called "the Ummah Army," which is identified with Al Qaeda, took responsibility for the attack.
The gunmen fired at the minister's entourage when the group visited Nizmit Hill, near Kibbutz Nir Am. The group was at the Nabi Meri lookout at the top of the hill, when it was hit by bursts of gunfire.
Dichter was not hit. He and the other members of the group lay on the ground, and Dichter asked all those present to remain calm. When the group began descending, Gil called out and said he had been hit and was unable to move. Ambulances were called in and they evacuated him.
Dichter told newsmen that "the IDF functioned in an excellent way and immediately fired back at the sources of fire until the fire ceased. Then ambulances were called in and arrived in a few minutes' time." Dichter went on to Barzilai Hospital, to accompany his aide.
Dichter had been visiting the lookout point with several dozen people, most of them visitors who came to identify with Sderot. Some of the visitors were from Canada, and were being guided by activist Eddy Azran of Sderot. "Suddenly a burst of gunfire cut across the hill and bullets started whizzing between our legs," Azran told Ynet.
"After we evacuated everyone and the army returned fire at the sources of fire, I ran to the car and took out the first aid equipment that is always on me. I and the minister's driver dragged the injured man to safety… We checked if anyone else was hurt and evacuated the group by foot, because we had difficulty going near the cars.
The group of visitors included "children and adults, Jews and non-Jews," Azran said.
In February, a short range terrorist rocket exploded near the Sapir Academy at Sderot, not far from where Minister Dichter was at the time. One of Dichter's security men was lightly injured.
In March, a Grad rocket exploded in Ashkelon, near Dichter's home