At least one Israeli was killed and over 30 injured in a three stage terror attack on roads near Eilat and the Philadelphia Corridor on the Egyptian border. Police later raised the level of alert throughout thecountry . The first attack occurred at noon when terrorists sprayed an Egged bus with automatic fire as it travelled to Eilat. One person was killed and seven injured. The terrorists fled in a car and the bus driver continued to a nearby army base and alerted troops and emergency services. Egged spokesman Ran Ratner said bus no. 392 left Beersheba at 8.05 and headed for Eilat passing bymilitary bases en route. The shooting attack occurred approximately 18 miles from Eilat. "The passengers were mostly soldiers heading home for the weekend," Ratner said. At a second site, at the Philadelphia Corridor near the Egyptian border, five Israelis were said to be in critical condition after a bomb was detonated near an Israeli army patrol. As troops attempted to evacuate the injured, Palestinians fired mortar shells and anti-tank rockets. Meanwhile special police forces and Israeli military troops pursued the terrorists and engaged ina gun battles killing three not far from where the shooting attack on the bus occurred. Israeli Army spokesman Brig.Gen. Yoav Mordechai saidit was unclear exactly how many terrorists were involved in the attacks that occurred at three different sites. "It is possible a number of terrorists infiltrated into Israel from the Sinai," he said. Israeli security officials said there had been general threats and not specific ones of plans by terrorists to infiltrate into Israel and carry out attacks.
