Four Israelis were shot dead by Hamas terrorists on Tuesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is en route to Washington, D.C., for a new round of peace talks.

The victims include two men and two women, one reportedly pregnant. While in a car near the West Bank city of Hebron, terrorists fired upon the passengers and then shot the occupants at close range.

A statement from Hamas' military wing, Ezzedeen Al- Qassam Brigades, said, "Qassam Brigades announces its full responsibility for the heroic operation in Hebron."

Senior Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement "Hamas blesses the Hebron operation and considers it as a normal reaction to the occupation crime and a proof of the failure … to abort the project of resistance."

"Any time one human being takes out a weapon and fires and kills other human beings it's a tragedy," State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said following the attacks.

Commenting on the timing of the attack and the upcoming peace talks, Crowley stated:

"We are cognizant that there could be external events that can have an impact on the environment. We also are cognizant that there may well be actors in the region who are deliberately making these kinds of attacks in order to sabotage the process."

Echoing Crowley, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the attack "is likely an attempt by the low-life terrorists to prevent the diplomatic process and to hurt the chances of the talks opening in Washington."

On Wednesday, Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with President Obama separately. Later, they will attend a White House dinner, joined by King Abdullah of Jordan and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Formal talks will take place on Thursday at the State Department.

Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Hamas' military wing promised more violence, "Our men have returned safely to their bases," and "This attack is a chain in a series of attacks, some have been executed, others will follow."