Palestinian militants kill at least two, wound two dozen Israelis in Hebron

<br>HEBRON, West Bank (AP) _ Palestinian militants opened fire on Israelis walking through the West Bank city of Hebron, killing at least two people and wounding at least two dozen, army officials said

Friday, November 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HEBRON, West Bank (AP) _ Palestinian militants opened fire on Israelis walking through the West Bank city of Hebron, killing at least two people and wounding at least two dozen, army officials said Friday.

An army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the complete number of dead and injured was not yet known. Troops and civilians had been caught in a complex ambush, he said. Exchanges of fire continued and 90 minutes later, he said.

Militants opened fire on the Jews as they wound their way into the city to mark the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the burial cave of the biblical Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and a place revered by both Muslims and Jews.

A rescue services spokesman said at least three people were seriously wounded. Further details on other wounded were not immediately available. Continuing clashes were hampering evacuation of wounded in the area, the spokesman said.

Israeli media reported that soldiers attempting to assist civilians under fire were caught in an ambush that included sniper fire from the Hebron's hilltop suburb of Abu Sneineh.

Many Jews living in the nearby settlement of Kiryat Arba walk to the holy site every Friday evening, and the route is heavily guarded by Israeli security forces.