3 kids killed in Gaza shootout
Middle East Desk Report

GAZA CITY (Gaza Strip)—Palestinian gunmen killed three young sons of a senior Palestinian intelligence officer Monday, pumping dozens of bullets into their car as it passed through a street crowded with schoolchildren in an apparent botched assassination attempt that could ignite widespread factional fighting.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the drive-by attack, which left the schoolbags and a small plastic bag with a sandwich covered in blood. “I have no words. Words stop at the extent of this crime,” the boys’ father, Baha Balousheh, told. “I am a father who has lost his children.” Senior officials in the intelligence service, which is loyal to the Fatah Party of President Mahmoud Abbas, blamed the Islamic militant group Hamas for the shooting. Balousheh, a Fatah member, was a lead interrogator in a crackdown on Hamas a decade ago. Hamas denied involvement and denounced the bloodshed.
While dozens have been killed in Gaza’s escalating lawlessness since Hamas defeated Fatah in January parliamentary elections.