24-Oct-07: Drive-by shooting... again

They used to be a regular feature of Israeli roads but for the past couple of years they've been a rarity. Today it's happened again: an Israeli is moderately to seriously wounded this morning after coming under fire from a passing Palestinian car at Ariel Junction. The JPost says the Palestinian vehicle - a blue Savannah van - was seen speeding off eastward towards Tapuah Junction after firing shots at a hitchhiking post from a distance of 100-150 meters. One person among the several who were waiting for rides at the hitchhiking post, a 20-year-old youth, was reported to have been shot in the stomach. A helicopter was scrambled to the scene to evacuate the youth to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva. A Magen David Adom paramedic present at the scene told Israel Radio that the victim had been hit multiple times in his lower body and was in serious condition. A second person was also wounded after sustaining a shot to the leg. He managed to walk to the Ariel police station. As the car fled, the shooter or shooters reportedly opened fire at oncoming traffic.