Fresh attacks take place
David Sharrock in Jerusalem | 30.01.2007 08:02
Israel was braced for a new wave of terrorist attacks last night after a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up, killing three other people in one of its safest towns. Extremists who claimed responsibility promised more “martyrdom operations”.
The blast, in a bakery in the popular Red Sea resort of Eilat, was the first attack of its kind in Israel for eight months. Eilat is a haven for Israelis escaping violence and a destination for European holidaymakers.
One of the groups responsible, Islamic Jihad, said that the attack was meant to help to end weeks of Hamas-Fatah infighting by demonstrating that guns should be turned against Jews
The bombing came after a weekend in which more than 30 people were killed in Gaza in factional fighting between Hamas, which controls the Palestinian Government, and the Fatah movement of President Abbas.
Last night both factions agreed a ceasefire that came into effect early this morning. “All clashes must stop and armed men must withdraw immediately from the streets,” said Mahmud Zahar, the Foreign Minister, reading out a joint statement.
Witnesses said that the bomber, a 21-year-old Gazan, stood out because he was wearing a long winter coat on a warm, sunny day. “It was very hot. He had a coat on and it didn’t look right. I thought, ‘What’s that idiot dressed like that for?’ A couple of seconds later I heard a massive explosion,” Benny Mazgini, 45, told Israel Radio.
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, vowed to continue a “battle without respite” against the terrorists. He said that the eight months of calm which had passed since the last suicide bombing — when 11 people died in Tel Aviv — had been deceptive. “In recent weeks we thwarted many attacks,” he said.
The radical Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a militant wing of Fatah, claimed joint responsibility for the attack, saying that it was carried out by Muhammad Faisal al-Saksak from Gaza. A spokesman, Abu Hamzeh, said: “We held back for a while and gave the stage to Fatah and Hamas to conduct unity government discussions. We saw that it has not achieved anything, so we have reverted to martyrdom operations.”
Tzipi Livni, the Israeli Foreign Minister, said that Israel had shown “extraordinary restraint in order to give the Palestinians an opportunity to fight terror and stop the attacks.
“Unfortunately, the Palestinians failed to stop them. It is crucial for the international community to put pressure on the Hamas-led Government, and the Israeli Government will decide upon the necessary steps.”
Israeli police said that the bomber had crossed into Israel from Egypt a few hours before blowing himself up.
A security source in Egypt said that the authorities in the Sinai had boosted security but denied that the bomber could have crossed the 150-mile border, which is notorious for drug and human trafficking.
A Palestinian news agency quoted al-Saksak’s family as saying that he had left their home three days ago. “We knew he was going to carry out a martyrdom operation,” his brother, Naeem, said. “His mother and father prayed for him to succeed.”
In the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, a large crowd gathered outside the bomber’s home to praise the attack. “Muhammad be happy. You will go directly to heaven,” the crowd chanted, while children waved pictures of the bomber. In one image he held a machinegun.
The blast, in a bakery in the popular Red Sea resort of Eilat, was the first attack of its kind in Israel for eight months. Eilat is a haven for Israelis escaping violence and a destination for European holidaymakers.
One of the groups responsible, Islamic Jihad, said that the attack was meant to help to end weeks of Hamas-Fatah infighting by demonstrating that guns should be turned against Jews
The bombing came after a weekend in which more than 30 people were killed in Gaza in factional fighting between Hamas, which controls the Palestinian Government, and the Fatah movement of President Abbas.
Last night both factions agreed a ceasefire that came into effect early this morning. “All clashes must stop and armed men must withdraw immediately from the streets,” said Mahmud Zahar, the Foreign Minister, reading out a joint statement.
Witnesses said that the bomber, a 21-year-old Gazan, stood out because he was wearing a long winter coat on a warm, sunny day. “It was very hot. He had a coat on and it didn’t look right. I thought, ‘What’s that idiot dressed like that for?’ A couple of seconds later I heard a massive explosion,” Benny Mazgini, 45, told Israel Radio.
Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, vowed to continue a “battle without respite” against the terrorists. He said that the eight months of calm which had passed since the last suicide bombing — when 11 people died in Tel Aviv — had been deceptive. “In recent weeks we thwarted many attacks,” he said.
The radical Islamic Jihad and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a militant wing of Fatah, claimed joint responsibility for the attack, saying that it was carried out by Muhammad Faisal al-Saksak from Gaza. A spokesman, Abu Hamzeh, said: “We held back for a while and gave the stage to Fatah and Hamas to conduct unity government discussions. We saw that it has not achieved anything, so we have reverted to martyrdom operations.”
Tzipi Livni, the Israeli Foreign Minister, said that Israel had shown “extraordinary restraint in order to give the Palestinians an opportunity to fight terror and stop the attacks.
“Unfortunately, the Palestinians failed to stop them. It is crucial for the international community to put pressure on the Hamas-led Government, and the Israeli Government will decide upon the necessary steps.”
Israeli police said that the bomber had crossed into Israel from Egypt a few hours before blowing himself up.
A security source in Egypt said that the authorities in the Sinai had boosted security but denied that the bomber could have crossed the 150-mile border, which is notorious for drug and human trafficking.
A Palestinian news agency quoted al-Saksak’s family as saying that he had left their home three days ago. “We knew he was going to carry out a martyrdom operation,” his brother, Naeem, said. “His mother and father prayed for him to succeed.”
In the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, a large crowd gathered outside the bomber’s home to praise the attack. “Muhammad be happy. You will go directly to heaven,” the crowd chanted, while children waved pictures of the bomber. In one image he held a machinegun.
David Sharrock in Jerusalem