Fifteen people, possibly including the terrorist, are reported dead and close to 40 are 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 emergency medical teams quickly arrived to begin treating the wounded. Zaka Rescue and Recovery's motorcycle fast response unit were first on the scene to attend to the wounded, and then to begin the identification and evacuation of the victims. The injured were taken to three nearby hospitals, where nine of them are listed in serious condition - including two who are fighting for their lives. The driver, an Israeli-Arab from Shfar'am, who is listed in "light" condition, said that he frequently sees security personnel on the buses, but saw none today.
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, where incitement for terrorism continues non-stop, and even Opposition Leader and ex-Haifa Mayor MK Amram Mitzna (Labor) blamed the PA leadership. The PA leadership "condemned" the attack, but the military wing of Yasser Arafat's Fatah announced that after "40
Palestinians were killed in the past week by the IDF, the Israelis should have expected a reaction like this."
MK Yuri Stern, faction head of the National Union party, said that the government must stop all payments of tax monies to the Palestinian Authority. Stern said that Israel must hit back not only at the terrorists, but also at those giving political asylum and support to terrorism, "beginning with Yasser Arafat." Minister of Welfare Zevulun Orlev (NRP) said that the most elementary response to today's attack would be for Israel to expel Arafat.
Police and IDF forces have increased their presence and activities in many areas throughout the country, including in the Sharon region of Netanya and Herzliya. Roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up along roads leadingfrom 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, where incitement for terrorism continues non-stop, and even Opposition Leader and ex-Haifa Mayor MK Amram Mitzna (Labor) blamed the PA leadership. The PA leadership "condemned" the attack, but the military wing of Yasser Arafat's Fatah announced that after "40
Palestinians were killed in the past week by the IDF, the Israelis should have expected a reaction like this."
MK Yuri Stern, faction head of the National Union party, said that the government must stop all payments of tax monies to the Palestinian Authority. Stern said that Israel must hit back not only at the terrorists, but also at those giving political asylum and support to terrorism, "beginning with Yasser Arafat." Minister of Welfare Zevulun Orlev (NRP) said that the most elementary response to today's attack would be for Israel to expel Arafat.
Police and IDF forces have increased their presence and activities in many areas throughout the country, including in the Sharon region of Netanya and Herzliya. Roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up along roads leadingfrom 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.