Series of EmergencyNet News Reports on Dual bombing in the Machane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Traffic
07/30/97 - 05:50CDT
Dual Bombing in Jerusalem
By C. L. Staten, Sr.
Analyst
(ENN) Early reports are streaming in a two explosions in the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem. Our sister publication, the IINS News Service in Israel, reports that the first explosion took place at about 13:20 (Israeli time). A secondary explosion took place about 3-4 minutes after the first.
EMS, Border Police, IDF and other forces are either enroute or on the scene of the disaster. Preliminary reports from EMS personnel report that at least six (6) people are dead and three dozen wounded in the blast. Eyewitnesses describe the scene as "chaotic" and "bloody." It is likely the death and injury toll will rise as rescuers continue to shift through the carnage.
No one has claimed responsibility for the blast, although both Hamas and Islamic Jihad have made threats of possible terrorist action in the past few weeks. A police source said that it was entirely too early to tell who might have been responsible, although militant Palestinians are suspected of the attack.
EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in Israel and will provide updates as more becomes available
EmergencyNet News *FLASH* Traffic
07/30/97 - 07:00CDT
Dual Bombing Reported in Jerusalem (Update)
By C. L. Staten, ERRI Sr. Analyst
(ENN) Reports continue to come in about two explosions in the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem. Our sister publication, the IINS News Service in Israel, reports that the first explosion took place at about 13:20 (Israeli time). A secondary explosion took place about 1-2 minutes after the first. Unconfirmed reports are saying that the blasts were caused by two "suicide bombers."
The latest casualty figures coming from the MDA (Magen David Adom) emergency medical service indicate that at least 16 people have been killed and more than 100 have been wounded, several of them critically. Area hospitals have gone to an emergency alert status and surgeons, orthopedic specialists and other physicians and support staff trained to deal with trauma have been called in to work. All of the known victims are believed to transported to a number of Jerusalem area hospitals at this time.
The area of the blast is being secured by police and IDF troops and thoroughly searched for evidence and body remains. Witnesses, who survived the blast, are standing in small groups...staring in disbelief and anguish at the carnage that was once a busy market place. The ugly spector of terrorism has again struck the center of Israel.
Police continue to officially refuse to speculate about who may have perpetrated this latest atrocity, though one man on the street was heard to say that it was "two Palestinian bombers" who were responsible. IDF Chief of Staff Shachak and Minister of Internal Security Kahalani are both believed to be on the scene and surveying the blast area. No one has claimed responsibility for the twin blasts.
EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in Israel and will provide additional details as they become available.
From ERRI Risk Assessment Services-DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-Wednesday, July 30, 1997 Vol. 3 - 211
TWO TERRORIST BOMBS EXPLODE IN
JERUSALEM
By the ENN News Staff
JERUSALEM (ENN) - At least 15 people were killed and 157 others were wounded when two bombs tore through a crowded outdoor vegetable market in west Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon. Police suspect two suicide bombers carried out the attacks.
The blasts went off in an alley in the Mahane Yehuda marketplace, the city's main fruit and vegetable market. The Machane Yehuda open air market is located in the center of the city between Jaffa Road and Agrippas Street. The explosions occurred at approximately 13:15 hours (Israeli time). The blasts were so powerful that it ripped the clothes off many victims and scraps of clothing hung from telephone lines.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. The bodies of the two suspected bombers were found in the rubble. Israel's police chief, Assaf Hefetz, said the two blasts were almost simultaneous.
The Israeli government immediately imposed a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring Palestinians from entering Israel. Analysts quickly said that the terrorist attack was calculated to shatter confidence in the Mideast peace process.
Wednesday's bombings were the first since a 21 March attack on a Tel Aviv cafe in which three Israeli women and a suicide bomber were killed, and the most serious attacks in Israel since the February-March 1996 wave of bombings carried out by the Islamic terrorist group HAMAS.
Deputy national police chief Gabi Last said the two blasts went off about 50 to 60 yards apart. He said there had been no intelligence warnings of terror attacks in recent days.
ENN received a quick list of the latest information from the IINS News Service in Israel:
1. Bombs contained 5-10 kilograms explosive materials.
2. Terrorists came dressed with suits and ties and split up when arriving at the area of atack site.
3. Unknown at this time if terrorists were dressed as Jews (i.e., wearing skull caps or the like).
4. Still conflicting reports of number killed ranging from 12-18, including two terrorists. Last report about 5 miniutes ago stated 13 dead and 157 injured.
5. Several of injured are in very critical conditon. One of the dead in Shaare Tzedek Medical center is a policeman.
6. Closure remains in effect on Arab residents of Judea, Samaria and Gaza (West Bank),
7. Tomorrow is an official day of mourning in Israel.
8. U.S. Negotiator Ross' trip to Middle east has been canceled.
(c) Copyright, EmergencyNet NEWS Service, 1997. All Rights Reserved. Redistribution without permission is prohibited by law.
The DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT is a subscription publication of the EmergencyNet NEWS Service, which is a part of the Chicago-based Emergency Response and Research Institute. This publication specializes in Security/Terrorism/Intelligence/ Military and National Security issues.
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