1997 Mahane Yehuda Market bombings
| 1997 Mahane Yehuda Market Bombings | |
|---|---|
 The attack site | |
| Location | Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem |
| Date | 30 July 1997 13:15 pm (GMT+2) |
Attack type | suicide bombings |
| Deaths | 16 civilians (+ 2 suicide bombers) |
| Injured | 178 |
| Perpetrators | Hamas claimed responsibility |
.JPG)
The 1997 Mahane Yehuda Market Bombings were two consecutive suicide bombings carried out by Hamas militants on July 30, 1997 at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, Israel, the city's main open-air fruit and vegetable market. Sixteen people were killed in the attack and 178 were injured.[1]
The attack
On Wednesday, July 30th, 1997 at 1:15 pm, two Palestinian suicide bombers who carried bags laden with explosives and nails detonated their explosive devices 45 meters (150 feet) apart almost simultaneously in a central alley in the popular outdoor market, killing 16 civilians, among them an Arab resident of Eilabun, and injuring 178 people, many of them teenagers and tourists[2].
Thirteen Israelis were killed immediately and three others died later from their injuries. The Mahane Yehuda attack was followed by a triple suicide bombing on the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall in downtown Jerusalem on September 4, which killed five Israelis and wounded over 190.[3]
Fatalities
The following people died in the attack:[4][5]
- Lev Desyatnik, 60, of Jerusalem[6]
- Regina Giber, 76, of Jerusalem[7]
- Valentina Kovalenko, 67, of Jerusalem[8]
- Shmuel Malka, 44, of Mevaseret Zion[9]
- David Nasco, 44, of Mevaseret Zion[10]
- Muhi A-din Othman, 33, of Eilabun[11]
- Simha Fremd, 92, of Jerusalem[12]
- Gregory Paskhovitz, 15, of Jerusalem[13]
- Leah Stern, 50, of Jerusalem[14]
- Rachel Tejgatrio, 83, of Jerusalem[15]
- Liliya Zelezniak, 47, of Jerusalem[16]
- Shalom (Golan) Zevulun, 52, of Jerusalem[17]
- Mark Rabinowitz, 80, of Jerusalem[18]
- Eli Adourian, 49, of Kfar Adumim (died of his wounds on August 11)[19]
- Ilia Gazrach, 73, of Pisgat Ze'ev (died on August 29)[20]
- Baruch Ostrovsky, 84, of Jerusalem (died on 3 October 1997)[21]
Arab praise for the attack
In August 1997, Fahad Rimawi, editor of the Jordanian weekly "Almajd," wrote: "We praise and glorify the double heroic act which two Palestinian 'mujahadins' performed in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem. These two holy martyrs illuminated the night in Jerusalem...and gave meaning to Arab heroism. We do not hide our happiness upon this act."[22]
Aftermath
In retaliation for these and other attacks, a decision was reached to target Hamas leaders. According to an Israeli press release, Mossad agents tried to poison chairman Khaled Mashal, who resided at the time in Jordan.[23] The assassination attempt failed and the Mossad agents were captured by the Jordanian authorities. They were later released in exchange for the release of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder and "spiritual leader" of Hamas who was serving a life sentence in an Israeli prison.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "Terrorist Attacks in Israel, 1994-2006". The Israel Project. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWgOEQ4LlVk
- ^ Mahane Yehuda attack toll up to 16
- ^ "Fatal Terrorist Attacks in Israel since the Declaration of Principles". MFA. 24 September 2000. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
- ^ "Victims of Mahane Yehuda Bombing". Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 30 July 1997. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ^ Lev Desyatnik Template:He icon
- ^ Regina Giber Template:He icon
- ^ Valentina Kovalenko Template:He icon
- ^ Shmuel Malka Template:He icon
- ^ David Nasco Template:He icon
- ^ Muhi A-din Othman Template:He icon
- ^ Simha Fremd Template:He icon
- ^ Gregory Paskhovitz Template:He icon
- ^ Leah Stern Template:He icon
- ^ Rachel Tejgatrio Template:He icon
- ^ Liliya Zelezniak Template:He icon
- ^ Shalom (Golan) Zevulun Template:He icon
- ^ Mark Rabinowitz Template:He icon
- ^ Eli Adourian Template:He icon
- ^ Ilia Gazrach Template:He icon
- ^ Baruch Ostrovsky Template:He icon
- ^ Pronouncements by Moslem religious leaders defending suicide attacks
- ^ Report of the Commission Concerning the Events in Jordan September 1997
