A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up on a bus at central Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 16 people and wounding scores of others. Paramedics and police reported that 15 people were in serious condition.
The attack came a day after the botched assassination attempt of Hamas’ top leader, Dr. Abdel Aziz Al Rantissi.
Israel's Jerusalem police chief Mickey Levy said that a suicide bomber detonated a large explosive device on the bus. "There was an enormous explosion," a witness told Israel Radio.
The blast blew out windows and tore a large hole into the left side of the bus. The bus had just left Jerusalem's nearby central bus station when the explosion occurred.
Hamas claimed the attack in Jerusalem. Palestinian sources named the bomber as Mohammad Shabani, 20, of Hebron. Shabani dressed as an ultra-Orthodox Jew.
The bombing "is a message to all the Zionist criminals that they are not safe and that the Palestinian fighters are capable of reaching them everywhere," said Mahmoud Zahar, a prominent official of Hamas.
Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said after the attack that Israel would continue to pursue Palestinian "terrorist" to the fullest extent while making
"every effort" on peacemaking with the Palestinians.
"The State of Israel will pursue to the fullest extent the Palestinian terrorist groups and their leaders," Sharon said. He added that Israel had a "deep commitment to make every effort to move forward with the diplomatic process which we hope will bring quiet and with God's help, peace."
Israeli raid
Soon after the bombing in Jerusalem, an Israeli helicopter fired missiles at a car in Gaza City, targeting a senior Hamas operative, Israel TV reported.
The report said an Israeli Apache helicopter fired two missiles at a car, targeting Titu Massoud, described as a leading commander of Hamas military wing. Palestinian sources said Massoud and another Hamas operative along with six Palestinian civilians were killed and dozens wounded in this raid.
Palestinian political arena
Earlier, and upon the arrival of the Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, in Ramallah, a Hamas official told Al Bawaba that Hamas is ready to enter dialogue with the Palestinian premier Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) on condition that Palestinian resistance movements (such as his) are supported.
Despite global criticism against Tuesday's operation and the sharp rebuke from the US, the Israeli army is still insistent on its plans to assassinate Palestinian leaders, recently announcing that it will be expanding its ‘hit-list’ to include political leaders from several Palestinian factions.
Hamas scoffed at the Israeli announcement saying, “Every Palestinian is a target and all the Palestinians are on the assassination list…seven children and women were killed yesterday,” Hamas leader, Ismael Haniyeh told Al Bawaba.
He added that the Israelis have always targeted the Palestinian leaders giving examples of those who were assassinated, including Jamal Salim, Jamal Mansour, Salah Darwazeh and Ibrahim Maqadmeh. “We believe the war is on and our destiny is decided by his almighty [God],” said Haniyeh.
Consequently, the meeting between Abu Mazen and Hamas, which was set to convene in Gaza on Wednesday, has now been postponed until further notice following the Israeli attempt against Rantissi.
Close sources to Hamas said the movement does not object to meeting with the Egyptian envoy. The sources added that Hamas wants to know what the Egyptian general has in ‘his hands’.
According to media sources, the Egyptian president’s envoy was due to meet with officials from the several Palestinian factions in Gaza, however this has now been ruled out due to the Israeli attacks on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat said Wednesday that Palestinian officials plan to resume meetings with Hamas representatives aimed at reaching a cease-fire agreement. "We will have a very important meeting with our brothers (in Hamas)," he said. Arafat spoke after the meeting with the Egyptian envoy.
Suleiman met in Ramallah with Abbas and Arafat for about two hours and asked Arafat if he wanted Egypt to continue trying to mediate the truce talks. Arafat said yes, according to Nabil Abu Rudeineh, an Arafat aide.
As far as dialogue with Abu Mazen is concerned, Hanieyeh said, “Abu Mazen announced at his press conference in Ramallah that his government advocates the notion of dialogue. Hamas also says that we are with this principle, but Abu Mazen should provide suitable circumstances for the meeting - which should be serve the interest of the Palestinian public.”
In general, Abbas is coming under increasing public pressure to resign following the failed Israeli assassination attempt on the life of Rantissi. On Wednesday, the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issued separate calls, urging the PA premier to resign.
The PFLP issued a leaflet in Gaza urging Abbas to draw the right conclusion from what happened in Gaza on Tuesday, having failed to provide protection for the Palestinian people and to get the Israeli regime to put an end to its "daily atrocities and acts of assassinations."
The Islamic Jihad made a similar call, arguing that Abu Mazen government failed miserably to carry out its obligations and responsibilities, namely to provide protection for Palestinian civilians. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
