Large explosion in Tel Aviv

CBS Radio | 02/25/2005 | CBS Radio News

[AgentEcho]

No further info... Just a large explosion reported.

[pabianice]

Gasp! You mean the peace-loving Palestinians (tm, 1967) aren't gonna abide by their new "peace initiative"?

[dfwgator]

Maybe you're right, we'll see.

[zarf]

Sharon has caught the Rabin disease. Time for him to step aside and let Bibi handle things.

Bibi? That guy who shook hands with Arafart? LOL!

Yeah, Bibi....that's the ticket.

[Darkwolf377]

I have a feeling, perhaps unjustified, that this will do nothing to stop the pullout. The feeling seems to be (from here in the US so I admit I'm basing this only on news accounts) that the post-Arafat era is going to provide a very narrow but real period in which the Israelis will grin and bear it just to see if a pullout and subsequent negotiations will actually WORK. If this means just going back to the "suicide bomber means retaliation" cycle, then all that hoping that Arafat's death could mean progress will go down the drain without being tried.

I think the Israelis will allow themselves to be pushed quite a bit if they believe the Palis are truly willing to at least attempt some kind of peace. But we all have our limits.

[Txsleuth]

Abbas said he wasn't going to make Hamas or Al aqsa Martyrs brigade disband, so what did anyone expect?

Gosh, even my hero Charles Krauthammer had even started talking like there was a ray of hope after Arafat died---

Unless Abbas immediately comes out and orders all terrorist organizations to disarm and disband, then I would tell Sharon that he needs to do whatever it takes....

I just wish Sharon would use Netanyahu more---I really like him!!!

[ariamne]

OH no, no not again!

Pray, pray, for the victims and their families. And DAMN the Palestinian vermin for this!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Islamic Jihad....likely.

[wideminded]

At about 11:20 an explosion shattered the Sabbath at the entrance to the Stage nightclub on the crowded Tel Aviv seashore, where young people were waiting to go in.

I've never been to Israel, but it sounds like there are plenty of non-observant Jews there.

[SevenofNine]

WOW I just got back online I hear off my Sky news alert

[leadpenny]

Middle East - AP


Tel Aviv Suicide Bombing Kills Several

1 minute ago Middle East - AP



TEL AVIV, Israel - A suicide bomber blew himself up among Israelis waiting outside a nightclub near Tel Aviv's beachfront promenade just before midnight Friday, killing several people, wounding dozens and shattering an unofficial Mideast truce.


AFP
Slideshow: Mideast Conflict




The area was crowded with young Israelis. About 20 to 30 people were waiting to get into the "Stage" club on Herbert Samuel street, close to the promenade. "I was near the club. There were about 20 people outside. Suddenly, there was an enormous explosion," said a witness, identified only as Tsahi.


There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, militants in the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent group with ties to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah (news - web sites) movement, said the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah was involved in the attack.


Police reported about 30 casualties, including several dead.


The Tel Aviv promenade has been hit before by Palestinian militants, including explosions outside the Dolphinarium disco and Mike's Place, a popular pub.

[G32]

Does it really matter if it's AQ, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Hezbollah? They are all working for the same eventual goal.

[fortheDeclaration]

No doubt.

[anonymoussierra]

I know I will write again Abbas is Arafat talk talk talk this persons do not want Izrael this persons do want war G-D help Izrael!!!! Thank you

[OneTimeLurker]

Mine says Islamic Jihad. I am not clairvoyant or anything, apparently they claimed responsibility!

[mlbford2]

Don't worry. Abbas has everything under control.

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you

[cake_crumb]

Abbas has a slim window in which to react in a way which shows his support for an independent state or support for the terrorist status quo. I predict he'll "condemn" the terrorist attack, call on all homocide bombers to please desist and wait for the world to forget about it. Just like Yasser.

[Txsleuth]

Islamic Jihad, huh? On my post I named al Aqsa Martyrs Bridgade and Hamas---I knew I forgot one of the terrorist groups----

I guess I lost--I guessed the wrong group of devils!!!

Thanks for posting---

[IAF ThunderPilot]

A large explosive device detonated at around 11.20 pm Friday night on the Tel Aviv promenade.

Police confirmed that a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of the Stage nightclub on the corners of Hebert Samuel and Jonah the Prophet Streets close to the Opera Tower in Tel Aviv.

A kiosk owner in the area told Ynetnews he though the entire building had collapsed, the blast had been so strong.

Magen David Adom ambulance services reported at least 20 injuries. The injured are being evacuated to hospitals in the area.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai arrived at the scene as police were closing off roads in the area. Police have asked the public to avoid arriving at the scene.

FRmail me to be added or removed from this Israel Defense Forces and Israel ping list. Here you will find news, articles and fascinating stories about the IDF and Israel.

[Natty Boh]

"However, militants in the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent group with ties to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah (news - web sites) movement, said the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah was involved in the attack."


That's BS. They would have you believe that guerillas infiltrated across the Lebanon-Israeli border and made their way down to Tel Aviv undetected? Or that they made some kind of amphibious landing? Don't think so.

Most likely, this originated in the West Bank and they came across someplace where the fence is not yet finished. If I had to guess, I'd say some faction of Al-Aqsa (most likely Arafat cronies who got purged) are behind this. The objective is to provoke an Israeli counterstrike and discredit the Palestinian leaders who kicked them out of power.