JERUSALEM – Two Palestinian gunmen attacked a West Bank military base with hand grenades and gunfire, killing two Israeli soldiers before they were cut down yesterday.
The violence raised the death toll to 11 people in two days and threatened U.S. hopes for a calm Mideast before any Western military move against Saddam Hussein.
The worst incident yesterday occurred on Mount Gerrizim, near the home of the Biblical sect called the Samaritans.
Two gunmen tried to infiltrate an army outpost and opened fire on soldiers conducting a drill.
They gunned down a second lieutenant and a sergeant, but were killed in the ensuing gun battle.
Several hundred Samaritans who live nearby were confined to their homes.
Also yesterday, Israeli security, acting on a tip, sealed off major roads from the West Bank and arrested two Palestinians from Tulkarm who had intended to carry out a car bombing in Israel.
With Post Wire Services