LOC10:49
07:49 GMT
GAZA, April 12 (KUNA) -- Israel's Navy halted Monday a Palestinian attempt
to attack its shores using a booby trapped boat a few hundred meters off the
borders with the Gaza Strip, an Israel military spokesman stated.
Israeli gunboats fired at a Palestinian fishing boat 300 hundred meters off
the Israeli-Gaza borders which resulted in a huge explosion, the Israeli
spokesman told Radio Israel, adding that the boat was obviously loaded with
explosives.
Israelis fired at the boat as it was so close to the Israeli waters of
Ashkelon and of which Palestinian boats are banned from sailing at, he said.
He added that no one was spotted on the boat and that Israelis are
investigating the incident. No Palestinian group has claimed responsibility
yet.
Israeli local radio broadcasts reported that the blast was heard both in
the north side of the Gaza Strip and in Gaza city.
Palestinian groups executed similar operations against Israeli boats during
the "Intifadha" (uprising).(end)
mt.aia
KUNA 131049 Apr 09NNNN