2 Palestinians killed, 4 Israelis injured in attack

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updated 2:34 p.m. ET May 26, 2007

JERUSALEM - Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at an Israeli security patrol in east Jerusalem late Saturday, injuring two, police said.

Israeli border police at the scene fired at the attackers, killing both of them. Israeli emergency services said two Israelis were injured and evacuated to hospital, one of whom was in serious condition.

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The shooting took place in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheik Said, near the separation barrier Israel is erecting along Jerusalem’s municipal boundary. The separation barrier is being built to shield the city from suicide bombers and has cut east Jerusalem from the West Bank. It is regularly guarded by security forces.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a joint patrol of Israeli border police and civilian guards along the barrier.

Israeli TV reported that the patrol was ambushed by the Palestinian shooters.

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An offshoot of the violent Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, which is affiliated with the Fatah Party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, claimed responsibility for the shooting attack, according to the Palestinian news web site Maan.

Israeli rescue services said one of the security men, a 26-year-old man, was shot in the chest and was in serious condition. The other was hit in the limbs and was in moderate condition. Israeli rescue services said both were taken to hospital.

Police said that in the exchange of fire between security forces and the gunmen, a Palestinian bystander was hit and was in critical condition. He was being treated by Israeli rescue services on the scene.