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CNN Live Today

Dozens of Israelis and Palestinians Killed in Stepped-Up Assaults Across Region

Aired March 12, 2002 - 12:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There is more news now in the Middle East, and the crisis continuing there. Dozens of Israelis and Palestinians have been killed in stepped-up assaults across the region today. Seventeen Palestinians have been killed in one attack described by some as a bloodbath.

Sheila MacVicar now live in Jerusalem, who's been watching again another bloody day there.

Sheila, good evening.

SHEILA MACVICAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, another day of violence, more bloodshed and more death. Let me take you first of all it to the north of Israel, just south of Israel's border in Lebanon, a few hours ago this afternoon, a number gunmen opened fire on cars, and trucks at an intersection there. They have killed six Israelis. There is a seventh in critical conditions, and six others wounded who have been wounded.

Now Israel security sources say that they have killed two of the gunmen. They were found to go be wearing Israeli army uniforms. There has been an ongoing and lengthy security operation in that area, so there is a continuing search for at least one more and possibly three more gunmen.

Now Israel was very quick to say, that although they were not sure who these gunmen were or where they had come from, they did not believe that they had infiltrated into Israel from Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces saying they saw no signs of any infiltration along that very heavily defended border with Lebanon.

Now let me take you back in time, Bill, to the way all of this last amount of violence has kicked off, violence which has left those Israelis dead today, a total of at least 30 Palestinians.

Now it began late last night, just before midnight, when Israeli forces went into the Gibralia (ph) refugee camp in Gaza in massive numbers. The Gibralia camp a nationalist stronghold.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MACVICAR (voice-over): There was a fierce firefight here in the crowded alleyways of this camp. In less than two hours, 17 Palestinians were dead, 80 more were wounded, and from the mosques came an appeal for blood donations.

The chief negotiator for the Palestinians called it a bloodbath.

Prime Minister Sharon has said this military operation is meant to subdue Palestinian resistance.

Last night, this leader of Hamas called for revenge.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will retaliate, and Sharon, you should wait.

MACVICAR: Two hours later, as Israeli forces had pulled out of Jabaliya, and on the West Bank, dozens more tanks and troops prepared to enter Ramallah.

Israeli tanks rumbled past garden walls. There was no sleep. At least five people have died. More are wounded. Ambulances could not move through the city. Just yesterday, Mr. Sharon had said Yasser Arafat was free to travel the West Bank and Gaza. This morning, tanks were again outside his office.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACVICAR: Bill, there are reports of continuing firefights in Ramallah tonight. It is darkness again. We believe the situation there remains very tense indeed -- Bill.

HEMMER: Keep us posted, Sheila.

Sheila MacVicar. Again, it is evening there in Jerusalem. We will be in touch throughout the day here in the U.S. with that.

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