(Updated – Monday – 9:40pm) Police officials a short time ago announced the death toll in the bus bombing attack has climbed to 14. In addition, the body of one terrorist has been identified. Authorities caution that a body of a second terrorist may be among the 14 although this is not believed to be the case at present. The official number of wounded in the attack stands at 59.
At about 4:23pm, an Egged Company No. 841 bus traveling from the Kiryat Shmona Central Bus Station was targeted by suicide bombers at Alonit Junction, in the I'ron Valley on Route 65, also known as the Hadera-Afula road. According to Police Commander Yaakov Borovski, a KIA 4x4 vehicle pulled alongside the bus while it was completely stopped and detonated a very powerful bomb near the rear section. Police investigators have established two terrorists were occupying the vehicle when the explosive device was detonated. Reports indicate the bomb contained "tens of kilograms of explosives". One police official reported the bomb contained 100kg (220 lbs) of explosive materials. The explosion was extremely powerful according to eyewitness testimony, resulting in a wide radius in which the dead and wounded were found. Persons were blown from the area by the impact of the blast, which immediately engulfed the bus in flames. Investigators at this time continue to operate on the scene of the blast, attempting to piece together the pieces of the puzzle, learn more about the bomb, and obtain any information that might provide clues to the events leading to the attack and the identities of those responsible.
Eyewitnesses report hearing a lot of gunfire shortly after the bomb exploded -- later learned to have been the bullets of soldiers trapped in the burning steel inferno.
The first rescue workers arriving on the scene were horrified to realize they could not approach the bus. The rescue efforts were hampered for some time due to the flames that emanated from the bus. The passengers in the rear of the bus were trapped, burned alive with no way out.
59 victims of the attack were transported to two hospitals, Hillel Yafeh in Hadera and HaEmek in Afula. It is expected that at least two dozen, being treated for minor physical injuries and hysteria, will be discharged later tonight.
Egged Bus Company spokesman Dan Ratner reported the targeted bus left the Kiryat Shmona Central Bus Station at 1:50pm, making its way south towards Tel Aviv. Police at this time are also searching for a Nissan vehicle, believed involved in assisting the terrorists in reaching the area. Police explain the second vehicle acted as a scout, traveling ahead of the bomb jeep to ensure the area was clear of law enforcement troops.
While security officials report there were no curfews on Qalkilya, Jenin, or Tul Qarem during the past two weeks, due to the "relative quiet", today, the IDF reimposed a curfew on Qalkilya in response to ominous intelligence community warnings. Despite the effort, it is now believed based on preliminary findings that the terrorists originated in Jenin. Officials also admit that although the past two weeks were described as "relatively quiet", there were no less than 40 credible serious intelligence warnings of planned attacks. Many attacks were prevented; five suicide bombers arrested on their way to attacks, two bombers killed, and other actions taken.
In a related matter, Egged officials report that over the past two years, the number of bus commuters nationwide has dropped 10% as a result of attacks. Company officials continue searching for ways to improve security and restore rider confidence. Officials pointed out that in the case of today's attack, a security agent on board could not have prevented the attack. Egged also admits that many riders opt to take different buses to avoid the I'ron Valley area that passes through Israeli Arab areas, bus lines frequently targeted in attacks.
Security officials believe the Islamic Jihad statement claiming responsibility for the attack today is genuine. Analysts believe the targeted response may include Islamic Jihad commanders in Jenin.
The area of the attack remains closed at this time as the investigation continues.
At about 4:23pm, an Egged Company No. 841 bus traveling from the Kiryat Shmona Central Bus Station was targeted by suicide bombers at Alonit Junction, in the I'ron Valley on Route 65, also known as the Hadera-Afula road. According to Police Commander Yaakov Borovski, a KIA 4x4 vehicle pulled alongside the bus while it was completely stopped and detonated a very powerful bomb near the rear section. Police investigators have established two terrorists were occupying the vehicle when the explosive device was detonated. Reports indicate the bomb contained "tens of kilograms of explosives". One police official reported the bomb contained 100kg (220 lbs) of explosive materials. The explosion was extremely powerful according to eyewitness testimony, resulting in a wide radius in which the dead and wounded were found. Persons were blown from the area by the impact of the blast, which immediately engulfed the bus in flames. Investigators at this time continue to operate on the scene of the blast, attempting to piece together the pieces of the puzzle, learn more about the bomb, and obtain any information that might provide clues to the events leading to the attack and the identities of those responsible.
Eyewitnesses report hearing a lot of gunfire shortly after the bomb exploded -- later learned to have been the bullets of soldiers trapped in the burning steel inferno.
The first rescue workers arriving on the scene were horrified to realize they could not approach the bus. The rescue efforts were hampered for some time due to the flames that emanated from the bus. The passengers in the rear of the bus were trapped, burned alive with no way out.
59 victims of the attack were transported to two hospitals, Hillel Yafeh in Hadera and HaEmek in Afula. It is expected that at least two dozen, being treated for minor physical injuries and hysteria, will be discharged later tonight.
Egged Bus Company spokesman Dan Ratner reported the targeted bus left the Kiryat Shmona Central Bus Station at 1:50pm, making its way south towards Tel Aviv. Police at this time are also searching for a Nissan vehicle, believed involved in assisting the terrorists in reaching the area. Police explain the second vehicle acted as a scout, traveling ahead of the bomb jeep to ensure the area was clear of law enforcement troops.
While security officials report there were no curfews on Qalkilya, Jenin, or Tul Qarem during the past two weeks, due to the "relative quiet", today, the IDF reimposed a curfew on Qalkilya in response to ominous intelligence community warnings. Despite the effort, it is now believed based on preliminary findings that the terrorists originated in Jenin. Officials also admit that although the past two weeks were described as "relatively quiet", there were no less than 40 credible serious intelligence warnings of planned attacks. Many attacks were prevented; five suicide bombers arrested on their way to attacks, two bombers killed, and other actions taken.
In a related matter, Egged officials report that over the past two years, the number of bus commuters nationwide has dropped 10% as a result of attacks. Company officials continue searching for ways to improve security and restore rider confidence. Officials pointed out that in the case of today's attack, a security agent on board could not have prevented the attack. Egged also admits that many riders opt to take different buses to avoid the I'ron Valley area that passes through Israeli Arab areas, bus lines frequently targeted in attacks.
Security officials believe the Islamic Jihad statement claiming responsibility for the attack today is genuine. Analysts believe the targeted response may include Islamic Jihad commanders in Jenin.
The area of the attack remains closed at this time as the investigation continues.