israelinsider: security:Gunfire battles in Bethlehem; Soldier killed

Gunfire battles in Bethlehem; Soldier killed
By Ellis Shuman April 3, 2001


		04/03 Two soldiers killed by Palestinian sniper fire Jerusalem Post 04/02 Violence escalates in Mideast Washington Post 04/02 Palestinians and Israelis fight in Bethlehem Reuters

Smoke rises over Bethlehem as Israeli forces return fire against Palestinian militiamen. (Reuters)




	The significance of Rachel’s Tomb
	IDF helicopters strike at Islamic Jihad terrorist


	IDF soldier killed in gunfire battle


	The Yeshiva of Rachel's Tomb
	Israel Defense Forces

Sergeant Danny Darai was killed yesterday afternoon by sniper fire near Rachel's Tomb, setting off a violent gunfire battle on the outskirts of Bethlehem.

Darai had just finished a shift of guard duty at Rachel's Tomb and was on his way by foot to his company camp about 200 meters away. Darai was hit by two bullets in the chest, reportedly fired by a Palestinian sniper with a telescopic lens. Though wearing a flak jacket as required, the protection was not one of the latest models, which are reportedly in short demand. Darai was evacuated to Hadassah Hospital but died en route.

Darai, age 20, will be buried today in the military section of the Arad cemetery.

According to a Maariv report, Palestinian militiamen began firing on Rachel's Tomb during Darai's evacuation from the area, in attempts to interfere with the medical team's rescue operations. The sources of the Palestinian gunfire were allegedly in the Al Aida refugee camp, on the outskirts of Bethlehem, and on the rooftop of the nearby Paradise Hotel.

IDF forces returned fire at the gunfire sources, and Israeli tanks fired several shells at Palestinian positions. The shelling, which was clearly heard in central Jerusalem, damaged the Paradise Hotel, which had been turned into a sandbagged fortress by the Palestinians. Palestinian sources reported at least seven injured, including a seven-year-old girl.

In other incidents yesterday, a car bomb exploded between Shavei Shomron and the village of Kuchin, minutes after an IDF jeep passed by; there were no casualties. The car, parked on the side of the road, raised the suspicion of the IDF soldiers and exploded just after they drove off, apparently detonated by remote control.

In another gunfire attack, Palestinians shot at an Israeli vehicle traveling between Peduel and Alei Zahav. One person was very lightly wounded in the attack. Shots were also fired at IDF soldiers who arrived at the scene.

An Israeli civilian was lightly injured yesterday by rocks thrown at her car near the village of Baka a-Sharkiya, north of Tulkarm.