Two Israeli female soldiers were killed and four other Israelis seriously wounded after two Palestinian gunmen fired on diners at kiosks near the entrance to the Israeli army's Southern Command HQ in Beer Sheva. IDF soldiers gave chase and shot and killed the terrorists. Hamas took credit for the attack. In response, Israeli jet fighters hit a Palestinian police complex in Gaza with three missiles Sunday night.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon returned from the United States and called for the convening of his security cabinet to discuss additional steps in the wake of the continuing attacks as well as the first firing of Kassam 2 missiles from Gaza into Israel. Sharon and Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer have warned that the firing of the missile would trigger a substantially different type of military response from Israel.

The soldiers killed in Beer Sheva were identified as Lieutenant Keren Rothstein, 20, and Corporal Aya Malachi, 18. One of the shooting victims remains in critical condition.

The terrorists, reportedly wearing civilian clothing, drove up to the road intersection outside the base shortly after 1 p.m. The corner was crowded with soldiers and civilians, and the gunmen started shooting. One fired bullets at a bakery, and the other terrorist, reportedly wearing a belt laden with explosives, fired in the direction of a nearby school.

A police officer and soldiers eating at a restaurant at the corner drew their weapons and fired at the terrorists, killing one immediately. The second gunman was hit in the foot and attempted to escape, but was finally shot and killed in a parking garage.

"I was on the street and suddenly the two got out of a car and started firing in all directions," Israeli army Capt. Guy Shaham told Israel Radio. "They were spraying from the hip in all directions. I whipped out my gun and started firing back at them."

"When I got to the scene, we saw people running away," police officer Yaki Artzi told ynet. "A number of people were lying on the ground. One shouted, 'Here is the terrorist!' The terrorist was under a car. He didn't have a gun, but only an explosive belt. When he tried to get up, I shot him and he fell down."

There were reports that a third Palestinian was seen running away from the scene. Security forces began an intensive search in the area, and set up roadblocks at the outskirts of Beer Sheva. Police sources later said that only two terrorists perpetrated the attack.

Israel Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonishky said that the quick actions of the soldiers and police at the scene prevented a much larger tragedy. He said that the police had no specific warnings that terrorists had planned to stage an attack in Beer Sheva.

In an initial response to the Beer Sheva attack, IDF forces cut off the main highway in the Gaza Strip. Roadblocks were positioned at the Netzarim and Gush Katif junctions.

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