In Afula, Israel, 2 Palestinian gunmen (1 fr. Islamic Jihad, 1 fr. the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade [AMB]) open fire on a crowd, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 14 before being shot dead. Sharon, taking U.S. envoys Burns and Zinni on a helicopter tour of the West Bank and Gaza at the time, redirects the chopper to overfly the scene of the attack. Later, a Palestinian sniper fatally shoots a Jewish settler driving in Gaza, wounds 3 others, is then killed by the IDF. The PA condemns the attacks; PA head Yasir Arafat issues a statement pledging to make a "100% effort" toward achieving a cease-fire. Meanwhile, the IDF steps up strikes on residential areas of Khan Yunis; tightens access to Jerusalem. (HP, MM 11/27; AP, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/28; AFP, AYM, al-Quds 11/28 in WNC 11/29; JP 12/7)
Tuesday, November 27, 2001