At 2:15 this afternoon (Saturday), a female terrorist, age 29, blew herself up in Haifa’s Maxim Restaurant, a joint Jewish-Arab owned establishment, murdering 19 and leaving over 65 wounded. Among the dead were three children and a baby girl.

Police report that the bomb was “moderate” in size, but contained a large quantity of shrapnel to increase the devastation of the blast. They stated that there was a security guard at the entrance to the restaurant, and that they are unsure how the bomber managed to get inside.



The Maxim Restaurant has been in operation for over 40 years, and is considered one of the most popular eateries in the city. George Matar, a Christian-Arab who owns the restaurant together with his wife Ilham and the Jewish couple Shabtai and Miri Tayar, was on the phone with his wife telling her that the restaurant was packed and that it looked like it would be a happy and successful day when the phone call was cut off by the explosion. Matar was seriously wounded. "Everyone knows everyone, and we're like one big family," said Orli Nir, the Tayars' daughter. "If certain people don't show up on Saturday morning, we call up to find out what's wrong."

Dozens of victims were transported to the Rambam Medical Center, Carmel Hospital and Bnei Tzion Hospital. Forty-six people are currently hospitalized, including 6-9 in serious condition.



It has been reported that the murderer told her sister beforehand that if she hears of an attack in Israel, she should pass out candies to celebrate, and that it would be in revenge for the killing by Israeli forces of her [the murderer's] brother and cousin/fiancee.



Prime Minister Sharon held an emergency security consultation today, and Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon are meeting with defense officials this evening. They are likely to decide on a military response as soon as tonight. Jenin, the city from where the terrorist set out, has already been placed under curfew. Calls have been heard once again for the expulsion of Arafat. "Either we respond, or we lose our deterrence power," said Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz of the Likud today.