Four IDF soldiers, including an officer, were killed and two others were injured, one seriously, early Wednesday morning when a pair of heavily-armed Palestinians infiltrated a military outpost on the border of the Gaza Strip, close to Kibbutz Kerem Shalom.

The casualties were all identified as members of a Bedouin desert patrol unit. They were: Capt. Ashraf Mazarib, from Beit Zarzir; Mustafa Sawayed, from Abu Snan; Ibrahim Hamadieh, from Reihaneih; and Ali Abu Ranem, from Haifa.

The two gunmen infiltrated into Israel by cutting through the Gaza security fence, located some 150 meters from the outpost. The men entered the outpost at approximately 4:30 a.m. and opened fire on the soldiers, who were caught by surprise, according to Army Radio.

In the ensuing battle, the soldiers shot dead one of the Palestinians, killing the second following a brief pursuit. Both men were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles, hand grenades, and explosive belts and dressed in Palestinian Authority police uniforms. Sappers defused several unexploded grenades at the site of the battle.

During the incident, Kerem Shalom and neighboring Sufa, Holit, and Nir Yitzhak were placed on extremely high alert. All of the communities are within Israel's pre-1967 borders.

Hamas, PA, Islamic Jihad all implicated in conflicting accusations
The military arm of Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, issuing a statement in which it stated that it would continue to fight against the "Zionist occupation." However, sources in the organization's political arm expressed doubt over the announcement's credibility.

One of the Palestinian gunmen was identified by the Hizbullah's Al Manar television station as Muhammad Abu Jamus, a member of the PA naval police. The second was identified as Imad Abu Rizak, a Hamas operative. The PA police issued a statement denying their forces carried out the attack, and Palestinian sources believe the terrorists were members of Islamic Jihad.

According to Itim, the Palestinian media reported that a sizable IDF force, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, and a large infantry force, entered Palestinian-controlled territory near the Dahaniya airport in southern Gaza. Palestinian security facilities were evacuated in fear of an Israeli retaliatory strike.

Security cabinet warns of "grave repercussions"
The security cabinet convened an emergency session, in which it was expected to discuss Israel's strategic attitude toward the Palestinian Authority. Sources at the meeting said the attacks would probably have "grave diplomatic repercussions" on relations with the PA, according to Army Radio.

The attack was the first security incident that had taken place in the region since January 4. "It is clear beyond any doubt that the seven days of quiet have not taken place," sources at the Prime Minister's Office told Army Radio.

Government spokesman Avi Pazner said the "murderous attack on civilians and soldiers inside Israeli territory...proves the Palestinian Authority has not done enough to stop violence.'' He added, "It is obvious that our cabinet is going to consider this very serious situation...and of course we will not remain indifferent."

According to the Jerusalem Post, Arafat was furious over the attack, saying it ruined the chances of reaching seven days of quiet, which Israel demands as a precondition for the renewal of negotiations.

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