Woman suicide bomber's family: We're very proud

Explosive device strapped to 57-year-old woman suicide bomber activated near IDF soldiers operating in Jabalya area in north Gaza; three soldiers sustain light injuries in incident; 'I offer myself as a sacrifice to God and to the homeland,' terrorist says on video prior to attack

Hanan Greenberg and Reuters
Latest Update: 11.23.06, 23:51

An explosive device strapped to a woman suicide bomber was activated Thursday afternoon near IDF soldiers operating in the Jabalya area in north Gaza. The terrorist was killed, and three soldiers sustained light injuries in the incident, bringing the number of troops injured in the Strip throughout the day to seven.

Palestinian sources said the terrorist was identified as 57-year-old Fatma Najar, claiming she was sent on the suicide mission by Hamas.

Her family said she had nine children and nearly 30 grandchildren. She was the first known Palestinian grandmother to attempt a suicide bombing against Israelis.

"I am very proud of what she did. Allahu Akbar (God is greatest)," one of her sons, Fuad, 31, told Reuters.

On a video released by Hamas, the woman read out a statement saying said she wanted to dedicate her death to Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas.

She wore a black suicide belt and had an M-16 assault rifle slung over her neck.

"I offer myself as a sacrifice to God and to the homeland," she said.

The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m., when Givati Brigade soldiers operating against Qassam rocket cells spotted the woman approaching them, this after they had received prior warning of a possible suicide attack in the area. The troops called on the terrorists to stop, but she continued moving towards them, at which point they hurled a grenade in her direction, apparently setting off the explosive device in her possession.

Palestinians are really todays Nazi's.