The pregnant young mother Tali Hatuel and her four daughters - Hila, Hadar, Roni and Meirav - were buried in the new Ashkelon cemetery late yesterday afternoon, in a funeral attended by thousands of grieving mourners. Their husband and father David, who said he has not yet fully absorbed what has happened to him, eulogized them at the gravesite, crying out, "I beg forgiveness for not giving you enough time." David is the principal of an elementary school in Ashkelon. He noted that his wife was pregnant with a boy, for whose birth the family had been joyfully preparing - "and now everything has been cut off."
Among the participants were Housing Minister Effie Eitam, Deputy Minister Yitzchak Levy - and President Moshe Katzav, who said,
"This day of blood will be engraved in our history. An earthquake has happened. No one in the world can stand apathetically by in the face of these acts by such evil people. Where are those who speak in the name of Allah? You should be ashamed and disgraced, Arab leaders. Time after time, you stand by and take no initiative. But the Nation of Israel will stand strong. We have undergone tortures and tribulations. We will stand united in soul, and we will fight back."
Yesterday's attack doubles the number of Israeli civilians murdered by Palestinian terrorists on the Kisufim road since the Oslo War began in September 2000. Gavriel Zaguri, Itamar Yefet and Ettie Fahima were killed in three separate shooting attacks in November 2000, and Ahuva Amergi and Rabbi Yitzchak Arama of Netzer Hazani were shot to death in separate attacks in the course of 2002. Five soldiers have also been killed: Capt. Mor Elraz, St.-Sgt. Manzuri Yamin, Corp. Gobi Elkana, Maj. Haggai Bibi and Capt. Leonardo Weisman were felled in the course of three Oslo War attacks.
Among the participants were Housing Minister Effie Eitam, Deputy Minister Yitzchak Levy - and President Moshe Katzav, who said,
"This day of blood will be engraved in our history. An earthquake has happened. No one in the world can stand apathetically by in the face of these acts by such evil people. Where are those who speak in the name of Allah? You should be ashamed and disgraced, Arab leaders. Time after time, you stand by and take no initiative. But the Nation of Israel will stand strong. We have undergone tortures and tribulations. We will stand united in soul, and we will fight back."
Yesterday's attack doubles the number of Israeli civilians murdered by Palestinian terrorists on the Kisufim road since the Oslo War began in September 2000. Gavriel Zaguri, Itamar Yefet and Ettie Fahima were killed in three separate shooting attacks in November 2000, and Ahuva Amergi and Rabbi Yitzchak Arama of Netzer Hazani were shot to death in separate attacks in the course of 2002. Five soldiers have also been killed: Capt. Mor Elraz, St.-Sgt. Manzuri Yamin, Corp. Gobi Elkana, Maj. Haggai Bibi and Capt. Leonardo Weisman were felled in the course of three Oslo War attacks.