Wednesday, July 13, after a young suicide bomber blew himself up in the coastal town of Natanya killing a woman and two teenage girls, Israeli officials confirmed. Two Israeli soldiers were wounded when Palestinian gunmen opened fire Wednesday, July 13, as the operation began in Tulkarm, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife. The nature of the injuries was not immediately clear, but the IDF said soldiers had "identified hitting the gunmen."
"ISLAMIC STRONGHOLD"
The city of Tulkarm is the stronghold of the Islamic Jihad infrastructure, and the organization operates freely inside and out of the city, Israeli officials said. Israel’s Foreign Ministry identified the victims of Tuesday’s bombing as a 31-year old woman and two 16-year-old girls, and said at least 90 people were injured when the militant detonated himself on a pedestrian crossing near the entrance to Hasharon Mall in Netanya.
"The bomber was identified as Ahmed Abu Khalil, 18, from the West Bank village of Atil," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement monitored by BosNewsLife. The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Sharon Region Police Commander Menashe Arviv said an initial investigation revealed the explosive belt detonated by the terrorist weighed about 10 kilograms. "The belt also contained nails and small iron balls. He estimated that the bomber detonated the charge prematurely after noticing the large-scale police deployment ordered in Netanya in light of a festival being held that day, as well as the Maccabiah games," the Foreign Ministry added.
SMALL GIRL INJURED
The Foreign Ministry said among those seriously wounded are a 3-year-old girl, Lial Sobersky, her mother, Margarita Sobersky, and grandmother, Anna Lifshitz. The mall which was the target Tuesday, July 12, was also the site of a terror bombing four years ago, in May 2001, when five were killed and over 100 wounded.
In February 2005 another teenage Islamic Jihad suicide bomber from Tulkarm killed five and wounded dozens outside the Stage Club on the Tel Aviv beach promenade. The latest attack shattered a five-month truth with Palestinian militants and was expected to lead to new tension between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
"In accordance with a decision made by the political echelon and in light of the current security assessment, a general closure will be placed on the Judea and Samaria and Gaza Strip areas," the Foreign Ministry said, a move that was likely to be condemned by Palestinian leaders.
HUMANITARIAN AID
However the Ministry made clear that "throughout the duration of the closure, humanitarian cases will be handled and approved by the District Coordination and Liaison offices." It said it was not surprised about the latest suicide attack.
"Islamic Jihad terror organization opposes the period of relative calm that was declared between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and for the past several months has made every effort to carry out terror attacks against Israeli targets, including yesterday’s suicide bombing attack in Netanya, in which three civilians were murdered and over 90 more were wounded, and the attempted car bombing attack in the community of Shavei Shomron."
Palestinian Authority officials have condemned Tuesday’s suicide bombing. (With BosNewsLife Research and reports from Israel)
