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Israelis Conduct Another Aerial Attack in Gaza

Aired June 11, 2003 - 17:35   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.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: There's a breaking development in Gaza we're following right now. Let's immediately go to CNN's Kelly Wallace. She's on the scene for us. Kelly is joining us on the phone. Kelly, tell us what's happening.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this is the fourth Israeli aerial attack in about two days. This took place just a short time ago. Three Israeli Apache helicopters in the air targeting a car in a neighborhood east of Gaza City. Palestinian sources are saying three people were killed, at least two believed to be Palestinian militants. It's not clear which group they belong to. Some sources saying they belong to the radical Palestinian group Hamas. This took place, we are told, around the same area of the earlier Israeli air strikes this afternoon. In that operation, seven people were killed, including three members of Hamas, as well as four other people, as well as two sisters in one family.

So this is, as the Israelis are saying, they are going to continue to hit the group Hamas and others in their fight against terrorism, even as there has been criticism from the Bush administration for both sides to take steps to somehow, Wolf, get back to that Mideast road map and the peace process -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And briefly, Kelly, the Israeli military sources you are talking to insist these attacks are not retaliation for the bus bombing in Jerusalem earlier today that killed, what, 16 or 17 people and injured dozens of others?

WALLACE: A key point. Right now, Wolf, Israeli military sources are not commenting on this latest operation, so we're still awaiting comment. As for the earlier operation, they were adamant. They stressed it was not in any way a retaliation or in any way connected to the Jerusalem bus bombing. They said this had been planned and was going to be carried out, and that the timing was purely coincidental -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, CNN's Kelly Wallace, we'll be checking back with you. Be careful over there in Gaza.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired June 11, 2003 - 17:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: There's a breaking development in Gaza we're following right now. Let's immediately go to CNN's Kelly Wallace. She's on the scene for us. Kelly is joining us on the phone. Kelly, tell us what's happening.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this is the fourth Israeli aerial attack in about two days. This took place just a short time ago. Three Israeli Apache helicopters in the air targeting a car in a neighborhood east of Gaza City. Palestinian sources are saying three people were killed, at least two believed to be Palestinian militants. It's not clear which group they belong to. Some sources saying they belong to the radical Palestinian group Hamas. This took place, we are told, around the same area of the earlier Israeli air strikes this afternoon. In that operation, seven people were killed, including three members of Hamas, as well as four other people, as well as two sisters in one family.

So this is, as the Israelis are saying, they are going to continue to hit the group Hamas and others in their fight against terrorism, even as there has been criticism from the Bush administration for both sides to take steps to somehow, Wolf, get back to that Mideast road map and the peace process -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And briefly, Kelly, the Israeli military sources you are talking to insist these attacks are not retaliation for the bus bombing in Jerusalem earlier today that killed, what, 16 or 17 people and injured dozens of others?

WALLACE: A key point. Right now, Wolf, Israeli military sources are not commenting on this latest operation, so we're still awaiting comment. As for the earlier operation, they were adamant. They stressed it was not in any way a retaliation or in any way connected to the Jerusalem bus bombing. They said this had been planned and was going to be carried out, and that the timing was purely coincidental -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, CNN's Kelly Wallace, we'll be checking back with you. Be careful over there in Gaza.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com