A massive terror attack in Egyptian Sinai last night rocked the Taba Hilton Hotel, near the Israeli border at Eilat, and a smaller-scale one took place in a camping village 60 kilometers south, in a two-pronged Islamic terror attack aimed at vacationing Israelis.
At least 27 people are reported dead in Taba, including at least 14 Israelis, six Egyptians and one Russian. The precise numbers are unknown, however, and no one is saying for sure when they will be. Over 150 people were injured in the massive explosion at the Taba Hilton, which now appears to be the result of two simultaneous car-bomb explosions just outside the hotel. Seven people are listed in serious condition, and over 30 are reported missing. Two or three Israelis were killed in a suicide terrorist attack that took place around the same time, in the Nueiba camping area.
The vast majority of the wounded were taken to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat, just over the border from Taba, while 17 people were flown to Be'er Sheva's Soroka Hospital and another four to Tel HaShomer in Tel Aviv. Two Israeli women were hospitalized in an Egyptian hospital in Sharm a-Sheikh, and were flown only around noontime, in light-to-moderate condition, to Eilat by helicopter.
The attack destroyed the western part of the Hilton in Taba, and a two-room section of 13 floors collapsed to the ground. The hotel was filled to capacity and sported a crowded casino as well, and a large fire erupted in the building. Several bodies were removed from under the rubble this morning. "The identification process is very difficult," an Israeli police official said. Even seasoned rescue workers had difficulty controlling their emotions upon seeing the state of the bodies, which included a mother embracing a small child. Many victims were trapped underneath the rubble of collapsed sections of the building. The number of persons still missing was adjusted late this morning from 38 to "more than 30."
All Israeli officials emphasize that the event - rescue, identification of bodies, return of Israeli bodies, evacuation of Israeli citizens from Sinai, and more - has not ended, and they hope to be finished today or tomorrow. The Israeli teams involved in the efforts are the IDF, Israel Police, Magen David Adom, Zaka, and others. Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger explained that as long as there is even a slight chance of saving someone under the rubble, the work will continue even on the Sabbath.
The IDF has assumed overall command of the efforts dealing with the attacks in Egypt, including the rescue of victims and the evacuation of Israelis from Egypt, according to IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ruth Yaron. Egypt was originally uncooperative, but the situation has improved.
"There was a huge explosion, the biggest, most unimaginable explosion, and it was right in the middle of where everybody was camping," a young couple told a reporter from Channel 2 TV as they crossed back into Israel at the Taba crossing. "The Bedouins seemed indifferent, but Israelis were helping one another," they said, "tying tourniquets and treating those injured."
Most Israelis in the Taba area attempted to leave Sinai as soon as possible, grabbing their passports and rushing to the border crossing, which is in walking
distance of Eilat. However, the Egyptians initially closed the crossing altogether, and then allowed only those with passports to leave. One man who was unable to locate his passport amidst all the confusion said, "We arrived at the crossing, and they wouldn't let us through. There was simply no one to talk to, no one to whom we could explain or ask. The confusion over there is just terrible." By late this morning, the Egyptians were allowing free passage of all Israelis from Sinai to Israel, and the stream of returning Israelis has not stopped. Some 6-7,000 Israelis still remained in Sinai as of early this afternoon.
The government convened at noon today for an emergency meeting, though six of the 20 ministers are abroad. Defense Minister Mofaz told his colleagues that the terrorists had attempted a mega-attack.
Many Israeli buses were sent southward to Eilat to help transport the many hundreds of Israeli "refugees" who rained down on Eilat from Egypt.
Magen David Adom issued a call to donate RH-negative blood of all types. Interested donors should call (in Israel) 1-800-400-101 for details on local sites for blood donation.
Arabic Radio originally reported that Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack and later reported claims of responsibility from the Egyptian Jema'a Islamiya terror group as well. Commentators are speculating that the attack is the work of Al-Qaeda.
Prime Minister Sharon talked with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as did Foreign Minister Shalom and Defense Minister Mofaz with their Egyptian counterparts.
At least 27 people are reported dead in Taba, including at least 14 Israelis, six Egyptians and one Russian. The precise numbers are unknown, however, and no one is saying for sure when they will be. Over 150 people were injured in the massive explosion at the Taba Hilton, which now appears to be the result of two simultaneous car-bomb explosions just outside the hotel. Seven people are listed in serious condition, and over 30 are reported missing. Two or three Israelis were killed in a suicide terrorist attack that took place around the same time, in the Nueiba camping area.
The vast majority of the wounded were taken to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat, just over the border from Taba, while 17 people were flown to Be'er Sheva's Soroka Hospital and another four to Tel HaShomer in Tel Aviv. Two Israeli women were hospitalized in an Egyptian hospital in Sharm a-Sheikh, and were flown only around noontime, in light-to-moderate condition, to Eilat by helicopter.
The attack destroyed the western part of the Hilton in Taba, and a two-room section of 13 floors collapsed to the ground. The hotel was filled to capacity and sported a crowded casino as well, and a large fire erupted in the building. Several bodies were removed from under the rubble this morning. "The identification process is very difficult," an Israeli police official said. Even seasoned rescue workers had difficulty controlling their emotions upon seeing the state of the bodies, which included a mother embracing a small child. Many victims were trapped underneath the rubble of collapsed sections of the building. The number of persons still missing was adjusted late this morning from 38 to "more than 30."
All Israeli officials emphasize that the event - rescue, identification of bodies, return of Israeli bodies, evacuation of Israeli citizens from Sinai, and more - has not ended, and they hope to be finished today or tomorrow. The Israeli teams involved in the efforts are the IDF, Israel Police, Magen David Adom, Zaka, and others. Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger explained that as long as there is even a slight chance of saving someone under the rubble, the work will continue even on the Sabbath.
The IDF has assumed overall command of the efforts dealing with the attacks in Egypt, including the rescue of victims and the evacuation of Israelis from Egypt, according to IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Ruth Yaron. Egypt was originally uncooperative, but the situation has improved.
"There was a huge explosion, the biggest, most unimaginable explosion, and it was right in the middle of where everybody was camping," a young couple told a reporter from Channel 2 TV as they crossed back into Israel at the Taba crossing. "The Bedouins seemed indifferent, but Israelis were helping one another," they said, "tying tourniquets and treating those injured."
Most Israelis in the Taba area attempted to leave Sinai as soon as possible, grabbing their passports and rushing to the border crossing, which is in walking
The government convened at noon today for an emergency meeting, though six of the 20 ministers are abroad. Defense Minister Mofaz told his colleagues that the terrorists had attempted a mega-attack.
Many Israeli buses were sent southward to Eilat to help transport the many hundreds of Israeli "refugees" who rained down on Eilat from Egypt.
Magen David Adom issued a call to donate RH-negative blood of all types. Interested donors should call (in Israel) 1-800-400-101 for details on local sites for blood donation.
Arabic Radio originally reported that Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack and later reported claims of responsibility from the Egyptian Jema'a Islamiya terror group as well. Commentators are speculating that the attack is the work of Al-Qaeda.
Prime Minister Sharon talked with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, as did Foreign Minister Shalom and Defense Minister Mofaz with their Egyptian counterparts.