YET ANOTHER
Friday, March 21, 1997
THREE DEAD IN DIZENGOFF BOMB BLAST
A terrorist carrying two suitcases filled with 2-3 kilograms of explosives has killed himself and three others in a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. More than forty people are reported wounded so far. The terrorist group Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The terrorist bombed the Apropos Cafe on Adam HaCohen Street one block parallel to the Dizengoff Center. Scores of police offices were guarding the Center itself, exactly one year after the bomb blast there which killed the bomber and thirteen other people.
Most of the injuries are light, however one person is said to be in critical condition. Initial reports had witnesses speaking of seeing victims without limbs, and a baby who was badly burned. Television pictures showed a man carrying an injured baby in a clown's costume. The cafe was packed with families at the start of the Purim holiday.
Witnesses said they saw the man, carrying two bags, walking between the crowded tables when the bomb went off, at about 1.45pm Israeli time.
Security forces have closed off the area and are searching for additional explosives.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ronni Milo says Purim festivities will be canceled this weekend.
The attack comes after accusations by Prime Minister Netanyahu this week that, according to Israeli intelligence, Yasser Arafat had authorized Hamas to renew their suicide bombing campaign of last year, and released a senior Hamas official from prison to coordinate such attacks.
However, the USA denied these reports, and Arafat himself has publicly called for Palestinians to avoid violence in their protests against the Har Homa project. (MED, BBC, ICEJ, CNN, REUTERS, KOL ISRAEL 3/20)
Violence has broken out in Hevron, and the Tel Romeida neighborhood has basically been under siege for the past few hours. Due to the road works being carried out, the residents can only reach their homes via a street in Area H1 (Arab Hevron), which is presently crowded with hundreds of Arabs who are holding an open-air market there. The Jewish residents of the Avraham Avinu neighborhood are currently forbidden by the IDF to leave the area, for fear for their safety.
An IDF soldier reported at 1:15 this afternoon that he had been shot at by a Palestinian soldier. Noam Arnon, spokesman for the Hevron Community, reported the following to Arutz-7: "Hundreds of Arabs are throwing big rocks and firebombs; one soldier was hurt and another was lightly burned; a Jewish boy was injured lightly by a rock.
The army is still barely reacting. Palestinian police were seen amongst the mob, throwing stones and stirring up the crowds. The army has allowed the Palestinian police into the Jewish area in order for them to push back the crowds.
Other reports say that four soldiers have been injured, and 30 Arabs have been hurt by smoke inhalation. A Molotov cocktail firebomb was thrown on an IDF jeep, and many tens of Arabs are throwing rocks and empty bottles at Beit Hadassah. Arutz-7 broadcast today a tape of a military communication during the height of the incident, in which the following was heard: "No [military] means are to be used, by order of the Chief Officer!" "A firebomb was just thrown on the jeep!" "Tell him just to back out of there, and not to shoot now."
HIGH ALERT CONTINUES
Israeli-Arabs are joining in the demonstrations against the construction in Har Homa. Protest activities are expected in Arab areas throughout the country, sponsored by the Arab Local Councils Committee. Peace Now has also announced that it will hold a demonstration; it is scheduled for this afternoon in Har Homa. The police have rushed reinforcements to Jerusalem in anticipation of riots that may break out following the Friday prayers at the mosques. The Chief of Jerusalem Police said that he senses the smell of an explosion in the air.
Original CNN on Girl's Shooting
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