(17 February 2002 – 19:58) Police report that a major terror attack in the Gush Dan area was thwarted late this afternoon when traffic police spotted a stolen white Mazda and then proceeded to stop the vehicle for inspection. The incident occurred on the Wadi Ara road near the army’s Base 80 at about 5:00pm.
Following are the events according to police Commander Yaakov Raz, who heads the traffic enforcement unit.
“Police stopped the vehicle for inspection after determining it was stolen. During the car stop, the terrorists began to flee and an explosion occurred. A terrorist was killed and a policeman wounded. The second terrorist then got out of the vehicle and began firing. He was shot to death by police.”
The preliminary investigation according to police revealed that during a gun battle near the army base, one terrorist was killed. The second terrorist drove off in the direction of Barkai Junction, turning right at Calanit Junction, heading towards Shar Menashe Hospital, where the bomb was detonated, a distance of about five kilometers (3 miles) from the original car stop. A second traffic unit policeman was injured in the blast. Police report a total of five wounded, including three policemen, reportedly in moderate condition. Two other persons sustained light injuries. All the victims were transported to Hillel Yafeh Hospital in Hadera. There are also reports that an unspecified number of persons are being treated for hysteria.
Bomb squad personnel were called in to neutralize unexploded bomb belts found on the scene, presumably in the white Mazda. As a result, Route 65 and other area roads were closed down for hours as police worked to neutralize the bombs.
Following are the events according to police Commander Yaakov Raz, who heads the traffic enforcement unit.
“Police stopped the vehicle for inspection after determining it was stolen. During the car stop, the terrorists began to flee and an explosion occurred. A terrorist was killed and a policeman wounded. The second terrorist then got out of the vehicle and began firing. He was shot to death by police.”
The preliminary investigation according to police revealed that during a gun battle near the army base, one terrorist was killed. The second terrorist drove off in the direction of Barkai Junction, turning right at Calanit Junction, heading towards Shar Menashe Hospital, where the bomb was detonated, a distance of about five kilometers (3 miles) from the original car stop. A second traffic unit policeman was injured in the blast. Police report a total of five wounded, including three policemen, reportedly in moderate condition. Two other persons sustained light injuries. All the victims were transported to Hillel Yafeh Hospital in Hadera. There are also reports that an unspecified number of persons are being treated for hysteria.
Bomb squad personnel were called in to neutralize unexploded bomb belts found on the scene, presumably in the white Mazda. As a result, Route 65 and other area roads were closed down for hours as police worked to neutralize the bombs.