Gaza: Suicide bomber blows herself up near IDF force

Woman wearing explosive belt approaches Givati soldiers manning temporary checkpoint in Beit Hanoun, blows herself up. One soldier lightly injured, terrorist killed. Suicide bomber apparently affiliated with al-Quds Brigades

Hanan Greenberg
Published: 11.06.06, 16:10

A female suicide bomber blew herself up Monday afternoon near IDF forces in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.

The suicide bomber, Marvat Masud, was affiliated with the al-Quds Brigades, Islamic Jihad's military wing.

The incident took place at about 3:30 p.m., when the woman arrived at a temporary checkpoint set up by Givati soldiers in town. The crossing was established in the framework of efforts to apprehend wanted suspects.

IDF sources reported that the soldiers identified the suicide bomber after she approached them and raised their suspicion. The soldiers called on her to stop and remove her overcoat, at which point she activated the explosive belt.

The officials noted that the troops' alertness prevented a large-scale attack. The soldier who was lightly injured was evacuated to the Barzilay Hospital in Ashkelon for treatment.