Israeli police believe that the suicide bomber who killed at least one person and wounded more than 140 people in downtown Jerusalem Sunday afternoon was a woman.
A man's body was also discovered at the scene of the bombing, close to the intersection of Jaffa and King George streets, though it was not immediately clear who carried out the attack.
If the Israeli police assessments are found to be right, then this is the first time that Palestinian bombing attack has been carried out by a female.
Attack Details
At least one Israeli was killed and about 140 people were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up in downtown Jerusalem at approximately 12:25 P.M. Sunday, close to the intersection of Jaffa and King George streets.
Of the wounded, two were in serious condition, four sustained moderate wounds and the rest light injuries.
Jerusalem police chief Mikki Levy said that there were police officers among the wounded.
This is the second attack in less than one week in the same area. Two Israelis were killed and dozens wounded when a Palestinian opened fire at the lower end of Jaffa Street last week.
Reactions
Israel Police chief Shlomo Aharonishki said that he appreciated the fear that Israelis, and Jerusalem residents in particular, were feeling, but urged them to "be strong."
"I say to Israel and the residents of Jerusalem I understand the fear and the stress that we are facing, but we have to understand the reality we live in," he said. "We have to be strong, we have to be alert and have to keep going about our daily routine because that's the best way to fight terrorism."
According to Haaretz, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert also urged Jerusalem's residents to courageous in the face of what he referred to as a ongoing war.
"We are in the midst of a war which will not end in the next few days; it will unfortunately cost many victims," he said. "We have to deal with it with courage, not be deterred and do all that is possible to make the suffering are little as possible. I am counting on our citizens to know how to deal with this pain, with courage and with as much restraint as possible."
The Palestinian Authority quickly condemned the attack. "The Palestinian leadership strongly condemns the suicide attack against Israeli civilians in Jerusalem," said a statement by the PA leadership. It also called for the return of U.S. Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni "to resume the trilateral security coordination and negotiations without delay."
The PA statement also called on Israel to end its restrictions on the Palestinian population and its leadership.
"The leadership also calls on the Israeli government to immediately lift the siege imposed on the Palestinian people and their leadership in order to enable the Palestinian leadership to carry out its national and security duties," the statement said.
However, sources at the israeli Prime Minister's Office said that PA Chairman Yasser Arafat had direct responsibility for the attack, and warned that the bombing would have repercussions.
"Arafat is encouraging terrorism, he's sending [bombers] to Jerusalem," said Sharon aide Ra'anan Gissin. "We will continue to systematically dismantle the terrorist infrastructure," he added.
Sunday's blast took place some 20 meters from the Sbarro restaurant where 15 people were killed by a suicide bomber in an attack last year.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem police chief, Mickey Levy, who was supervising security personnel at the scene, arrived at a nearby hospital after complaining of chest pains and was being treated for an apparent serious heart attack. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
