Dumbasses.  More proof the fanatics don't concern themselves with the safety of their own kind.  The terrorists got what they deserved - too bad the children were injured in the process.

September 24, 2005

www.freep.com/news/nw/mid24e_20050924.htm
BY SARAH EL DEEB
ASSOCIATED PRESS

JEBALIYA, Gaza Strip -- A truck filled with masked Palestinian militants and homemade weapons exploded at a Hamas rally Friday, killing at least 15 Palestinians and bringing a grisly end to one of the last gatherings by armed groups celebrating Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip.

Health officials said dozens of children were among the more than 80 people wounded in the blast at Jebaliya, a Palestinian refugee camp that was the scene of fighting between militants and Israeli soldiers during the past five years.

The blast appeared to be accidental, and the Palestinian Interior Ministry issued a statement that called on Hamas to "shoulder its responsibility" for the explosion. However, Hamas alleged that an Israeli air strike was the cause of the explosion and said it would retaliate. "We cannot remain silent when the blood of our martyrs is spilled," said Nizar Rayan, a Hamas leader.

The Israeli military, which routinely acknowledges strikes carried out by its aircraft, insisted it was not involved. "Any attempt to use this incident as a pretext for attacks against Israeli civilians will be viewed with gravity," a military statement said.

Early today, the Israeli air force attacked three buildings in the Gaza Strip, the first air strikes since Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip last week after 38 years of occupation, the army said. Hospital officials said three people were hurt.

The attacks, which Israel said targeted Hamas weapons facilities, came after militants fired 21 homemade rockets from the Gaza Strip into the Israeli town of Sderot, injuring five Israelis, the army said.

Hamas claimed responsibility for many of the rockets, blaming Israel for the explosion in Jebaliya.

Since Israel left Gaza, militant groups have held rallies throughout the coastal strip, lauding their campaign of suicide attacks and other violence as having forced Israel's withdrawal from land Palestinians claim for a future nation.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, struggling to combat the chaos, wrested a pledge from militant groups to stop holding military-style parades after today.

"There is absolutely no excuse to parade weapons in the streets," Palestinian National Security Adviser Jibril Rajoub said Friday. The militant groups "are merely trying to express their power."

I am only saddened that more of them did not die.