Militant, 15, kills Israeli in Baka al-Garbiyeh

di David Ratner, Amos Harel e Arnon Regular - Haaretz 28 giugno 2003

A Bezeq telephone technician, Amit Mantin, 31, was murdered yesterday by a Palestinian youth in the village of Baka al-Garbiyeh, when he arrived to provide service for the local telephone system. The Fatah military wing, Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, claimed responsibility for the killing.

Late last night, an Israeli from Beitar Ilit was moderately injured when Palestinians opened fire against his car near the Tunnel Road. The man was rushed to Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem in Jerusalem for treatment, while security forces searched the area of the attack.

Also yesterday, border policemen shot dead two would-be suicide bombers near the Kalanit junction close to Baka al-Garbiyeh.

At around 11 A.M., Mantin entered the town, which is located on the Green Line and is linked by a shopping area on the main road to its twin town, Baka al-Sharkiyeh, which is just inside the West Bank. Driving a Bezeq car, Mantin stopped near a spare parts store, about 300 meters from the town hall.

Mantin was accompanied by a security guard, Asher Ben-Naim, 24, who left the car to determine whether they had reached the right address of the client who had requested the telephone service.

"I got out of the car and walked toward the business, about five or six meters from the car. When I turned, I saw a teen, about 15 or 16, standing with a pistol drawn, putting it against the driver's window, and firing five times," he said.

"I did not manage to see him draw. I pulled my pistol and shot in his direction, and he started to run, so I pursued and fired. I saw he was hit. He ran into a backyard, and then into an alley. He threw the gun, which I picked up, and then he disappeared in the alleys."

By the time Ben-Naim returned to the car, the owner of the shop had called an ambulance.

"The medic told me that there was nothing to do and that Amit had been killed on the spot," he said.

An eyewitness said that a Border Police unit had also rushed to the area following the shots. The policemen began searching the area, and were surprised when another ambulance emerged from one of the alleys.

Inside the ambulance, they found the perpetrator who had collapsed in an alley. The young killer was rushed to Hillel Yaffe Hospital in nearby Hadera, with a police escort, where he was operated on. Following the operation, the teen remained in serious condition.

Although this is not the first time teens have been used by Palestinian militant organizations in attacks against Israelis, yesterday's murder is believed to have been carried out by the youngest Palestinian to date.

After a debriefing with police, the security guard spoke to the press and stressed that Baka al-Garbiyeh had never been a problem in the past. He said that the town's residents are always very respectful and helpful.

"I don't think this was a preplaned ambush," he said.

Members of Mantin's family gathered at their Hadera home yesterday after the killing. Mantin's sister, Galit, said that three months ago, her brother announced that he was changing his original name, Amos, to something more modern. "We barely had enough time to get used to it," she said.

Mantin was the oldest of five children, and is survived by three brothers and Galit.

Bezeq had recently moved Mantin from Umm al-Fahm because the company said it was dangerous. His family said that he was very pleased with his work and always spoke well of his experiences in Baka al-Garbiyeh.

Mantin was buried yesterday at the Hadera cemetery.

Hadera Mayor Yisrael Sadan called on Israeli Arabs to "fight against terrorism," because "it is not reasonable for an Israeli citizen to move inside the country with a bulletproof vest and a bodyguard."

The IDF only recently planned to set up a post on the road separating the two parts of Baka.

Later yesterday, border policemen intercepted and killed two suicide-bombers also in this geographically sensitive area.

The incident occurred at about 5 P.M., when the two were spotted inside Israel carrying two bags. The two were shot on the run.

Inside the two bags, police found suicide bomb belts that were destroyed in a controlled explosion.