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American Morning
Three Americans Working for U.S. Embassy Killed
Aired October 15, 2003 - 09:02 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: From the Middle East, the U.S. embassy moments ago advising all Americans to leave the Gaza Strip for their own safety. Three Americans working for the U.S. embassy were killed earlier today. A fourth injured, said to be in critical condition after a bomb blew up, exploding on a road in northern Gaza. No claim of responsibility yet.
In Jerusalem, here's Finnoula Sweeney helping us out right now as the story continues to develop from there.
Finnoula, hello.
FINNOULA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.
Yes, about 3 1/2 hours ago an American convoy of three cars carrying 12 Americans, we understand, traveling through the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Palestinian security in cars, as the Palestinian cars passed by, a bomb detonated under the first American vehicle, killing, as you reported, three Americans and injuring one other. The injured person has been taken to hospital in Israel, and the remains of the three dead Americans also taken to Israel within the last hour.
No immediate claim of responsibility. In fact, quite the opposite. Hamas and Islamic Jihad denying responsibility for these explosions. The American -- the Palestinian Authority also calling on the Americans to join them in a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
Shortly after the bomb exploded, an FBI vehicle arrived at the scene to try to film what would have happened to begin its investigation, but the two FBI agents stoned by Palestinian youths. A Palestinian policeman opening fire on the children, and apparently the two Palestinian policemen were injured. The American FBI agents making a hasty retreat.
And as you mentioned there, Bill, within the last half hour or so, the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv warning Americans to leave the Gaza Strip immediately for their own safety -- Bill.
HEMMER: Finnoula, thanks. The update there. And again, that's still a developing story from the Middle East. Finnoula Sweeney in Jerusalem.
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 October 15, 2003 - 09:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From the Middle East, the U.S. embassy moments ago advising all Americans to leave the Gaza Strip for their own safety. Three Americans working for the U.S. embassy were killed earlier today. A fourth injured, said to be in critical condition after a bomb blew up, exploding on a road in northern Gaza. No claim of responsibility yet.
In Jerusalem, here's Finnoula Sweeney helping us out right now as the story continues to develop from there.
Finnoula, hello.
FINNOULA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.
Yes, about 3 1/2 hours ago an American convoy of three cars carrying 12 Americans, we understand, traveling through the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Palestinian security in cars, as the Palestinian cars passed by, a bomb detonated under the first American vehicle, killing, as you reported, three Americans and injuring one other. The injured person has been taken to hospital in Israel, and the remains of the three dead Americans also taken to Israel within the last hour.
No immediate claim of responsibility. In fact, quite the opposite. Hamas and Islamic Jihad denying responsibility for these explosions. The American -- the Palestinian Authority also calling on the Americans to join them in a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
Shortly after the bomb exploded, an FBI vehicle arrived at the scene to try to film what would have happened to begin its investigation, but the two FBI agents stoned by Palestinian youths. A Palestinian policeman opening fire on the children, and apparently the two Palestinian policemen were injured. The American FBI agents making a hasty retreat.
And as you mentioned there, Bill, within the last half hour or so, the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv warning Americans to leave the Gaza Strip immediately for their own safety -- Bill.
HEMMER: Finnoula, thanks. The update there. And again, that's still a developing story from the Middle East. Finnoula Sweeney in Jerusalem.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
