Palestinian suicide bombers kills 4, wounds 60 in Israeli city
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, March 5, 2001
TEL AVIV Four people were killed and more than 60 were injured in
a Palestinian suicide bombing.
One of them killed in Sunday's attack was a prominent Israeli. The
victim's name was not released.
Witnesses said a Palestinian suicide bomber tried to force his way into
a bus in the Israeli city of Netanya. The bus drove away and the bomber blew
himself up downtown. The bomber and three pedestrians were killed.
Police said the Palestinian had also tried to approach a gasoline
station to detonate the bomb, which he was wearing. But the attacker saw
police and then detonated his bomb.
"We are talking about not a very large bomb," a senior police official
said.
It was the third bombing attack in Netanya since November 1999. Netanya
is located about 15 kilometers from the West Bank.
Once again, Israeli officials raised the prospect of a military invasion
of Palestinian territory. But they said such an attack must be carefully
prepared and ensure that civilians are not harmed.
For his part, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak urged
restraint. "Recently, we have witnessed an increase in the scope of attacks
and casualties," Barak told the Cabinet. "This reality stems from our
dealings with the Palestinians. We must show stamina. Any conduct otherwise
plays into the hands of the terrorists and — to a certain degree — even
encourages them."
The Palestinian Authority said it was not connected to the bombing.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the adviser to PA Chairman Yasser Arafat, blamed Israel
for the escalation of the six-month-old mini-war in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip.
But PA officials called on Palestinian gunmen to stop shooting from
populated Palestinian areas toward Israeli targets. They said such attacks
only invites heavy Israeli retaliation.
Monday, March 5, 2001
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