Fifteen people are reported dead and some 40 wounded as a result of a bus bombing in Haifa. A bus on a main artery in the central Carmel area blew up at around 2:15 PM, and ambulances quickly arrived to begin taking the wounded to three nearby hospitals. About ten of the wounded are listed in serious condition.
Eyewitnesses said that the explosion was staggeringly loud, and that the bus was almost totally destroyed. A woman who lives opposite the site of the explosion said that all the windows in her apartment were smashed. A suicide terrorist is suspected. The last suicide attack of this nature occurred exactly two months ago, on January 5, in Tel Aviv; 23 people were killed, including several foreign workers. Some 57 attacks, including several by would-be suicide bombers, were thwarted during the month of February.
Northern District Police Chief Yaakov Borovsky, noticeably stunned by the extent of the explosion, casualties and damage, said that no intelligence reports had been received on possible attacks of this nature. Prime Minister Sharon placed full responsibility for the attack on the Palestinian Authority.
Israel says it will retaliate. Police and IDF forces have increased their presence and activities throughout the country, and especially in the Sharon region of Netanya and Herzliya. Roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up at roads leading from the northern Shomron to pre-1967 Israel, in the hope of catching an accomplice, possibly the driver, of the suicide murderer.
29 more terrorist suspects were arrested last night, including nine who were wanted by Israel's security organizations, in the areas of Judea and Samaria.
Eyewitnesses said that the explosion was staggeringly loud, and that the bus was almost totally destroyed. A woman who lives opposite the site of the explosion said that all the windows in her apartment were smashed. A suicide terrorist is suspected. The last suicide attack of this nature occurred exactly two months ago, on January 5, in Tel Aviv; 23 people were killed, including several foreign workers. Some 57 attacks, including several by would-be suicide bombers, were thwarted during the month of February.
Northern District Police Chief Yaakov Borovsky, noticeably stunned by the extent of the explosion, casualties and damage, said that no intelligence reports had been received on possible attacks of this nature. Prime Minister Sharon placed full responsibility for the attack on the Palestinian Authority.
Israel says it will retaliate. Police and IDF forces have increased their presence and activities throughout the country, and especially in the Sharon region of Netanya and Herzliya. Roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up at roads leading from the northern Shomron to pre-1967 Israel, in the hope of catching an accomplice, possibly the driver, of the suicide murderer.
29 more terrorist suspects were arrested last night, including nine who were wanted by Israel's security organizations, in the areas of Judea and Samaria.