 Israeli aircraft fired three missiles at targets in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing one Palestinian militant and critically wounding another, Palestinian health officials said. The army said the airstrikes were aimed at a cell preparing to carry out an attack. It said two vehicles were targeted, and one was hit.
| "Drat! Missed him by that much!" |
Pillars of smoke billowed from the destroyed vehicle as rescue workers removed burned and dismembered bodies. Palestinian officials initially said both men were dead after they were taken to the morgue by an ambulance.
| If they were burned and dismembered, that'd be a good guess. |
But a doctor at the morgue found them to be alive and sent them to the operating room. The injuries included lost legs, severe chest wounds and head injuries.
"Send this end of him over to Dr. Quincy, and this end up to Dr. Abu Safia in the operating room!"
"We ain't got no gurney!"
"Here. Use this bucket." |
Later, Dr. Baker Abu Safia confirmed that Wael Nassar, 23, of Islamic Jihad had died of his wounds.
Ahmad Abu Najam, 23, another Islamic Jihad militant remained in critical condition.
| "Hold off on going through his pockets for loose change, Mahmoud! He's only mostly dead!" |
Islamic Jihad vowed to take revenge for the Israeli missile strike. "God willing our reprisal is coming and it is going to be like air shaking," said spokesman Abu Ahmad.
| If not like gas passing... |
"We are going to shake the air under their feet. They had experienced us in Tel Aviv and more is coming." Islamic Jihad, a small group with ties to Iran and Syria, claimed responsibility for last week's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv that killed nine and wounded dozens. |