AJC Outraged by Fatal Terror Attacks Near Eilat

News provided by

Aug 18, 2011, 11:13 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC is pained and outraged by a series of deadly terror attacks near Eilat today, which left at least seven people dead and injured dozens others.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO)

"We extend our condolences to the families of those who were killed, and pray for a speedy recovery for those wounded," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "We hope that all perpetrators of these outrageous attacks will soon be found."

Even as details of the attacks continue to emerge, the scope and organizational complexity of the coordinated assaults are striking. The attacks, according to news reports, involved the shooting of a bus as it drove south along an Israeli highway toward Eilat, detonation of bombs next to an IDF patrol traveling in the area, and a private car struck by an anti-tank missile. In addition, mortars were fired into Israel from Egypt.

Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but some analysts are suggesting that the terrorists originated in Gaza, and entered Israel through Egypt. The Egyptians recently opened their border with Hamas-controlled Gaza, and have shown particular difficulty of late in controlling movement and activity in the Sinai.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee