In the early hours of the morning of 20 November, an Israeli school bus traveling near the Gush Katif junction was blown up by a roadside mine, killing two adults and seriously injuring nine schoolchildren. The IDF responded by helicopter gun-ship attacks on PA, Fatah, Force 17 and other installations. Following is a statement by the Prime Minister explaining the reasons for the attacks:
Further to the Cabinet meeting of 20 November, 2000, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered attacks on several targets within Palestinian territory in the Gaza Strip, including headquarters of the Fatah-Tanzim, television transmitters, and others.
The Israeli government views the Palestinian Authority as responsible for the fatal attack this morning against a bus carrying children near Kfar Darom. Those who perpetrated this attack are members of the Fatah-Tanzim, who are subject to PA authority.
Despite the earlier statement by PA Chairman Arafat, there has been no halt in firing at Israeli settlements, or in attacks and attempted attacks - including that carried out by a member of the Palestinian security forces (on November 183, which led to the death of St.-Sgt. Baruch Snir-Flum and St.-Sgt. Sharon Shitoubi in Kfar Darom.
The IDF will continue to act with appropriate force against those responsible for the attacks, and will not be deterred from measures that will make it clear to the other side that Israel will react strongly against anyone who harms Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers.