Posted on 09/09/2003 6:07:15 PM PDT by yonif
At least six people were killed and scores wounded in a suicide bombing at a popular coffee shop in Jerusalem Tuesday night.
A suicide bomber blew himself up Tuesday night at the entrance to the popular Cafe Hillel restaurant on Emek Refaim Rd. in the German Colony in southern Jerusalem.
According to Police, there were two guards at the coffee shop, one at the entrance and one inside. According to reports, both guards noticed the suicide bomber and moved towards him. One witness said the guards definately pushed the bomber outside the Cafe, where he managed to shout Allah Akbar (God is great) before he exploded.
Jerusalem Police chief Mickey Levy said the guards prevented a much larger number of fatalities.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has decided to shorten his visit to India and returns Wednesday night.
Officials in Jerusalem said Israel's response to Tuesday's attacks "would be painful." The officials added that Israel would not remain silent over these attacks. "We have one main enemy at this time, and that enemy is Hamas. We will conduct this war against Hamas," the officials added.
There are reports of at least six fatalities.
Hamas' military wing Izzadin Al Kassam have welcomed the Tuesday's attacks but has not taken formal responsibility for them. Their statement said Israelis could expect more attacks. Large crowds in Gaza City celebrated the two attacks in Israel Tuesday, handing out sweets.
The injured were taken to three hospitals in the capital - Hadassah, Bikur Holim and Sha'arei Zedek.
Nine of the wounded have been taken to Shaarei Tzedek Hospital: 12 55 125
Hadassah Har Hatzofim: 12 55 121
Twelve wounded have been taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem: 12 55 122
Bikur Holim: 12 55 123
The Absorption Ministry has opened an emergency line for new immigrants: 12 55 081010
The explosion rocked the southern Jerusalem neighborhood. Cafe Hillel is a very popular Coffee shop, usually packed at this time of night. The German Colony is on a strip with many restaurants and pubs, and small shops.
According to Magen David Adom, 40 people have been wounded and 32 have been taken to hospital so far. Six of the wounded are in critical condition. Many friends and relatives, as well as a multitude of bystanders arrived at the scene, and rescue services are having difficulties evacuating the wounded.
Manager of Haddasah Ein Kerem Hospital Dr. Shapira said that most of the wounded brought to his hospital were young adults in their early twenties.
Yitzhak Mor, lightly injured in the attack, saw the bomber, a young man. "I saw someone who had a bag, or some kind of case on his back under his clothes. I shouted at him, hey you! And then he exploded."
The chef at Cafe Hillel, Rami, who was in the kitchen at the time of the explosion, said the explosion occurred at the entrance to the coffee shop. Rami said that the coffee shop was not packed due to the terror warnings present in Jerusalem Tuesday.
The attack is the second suicide bombing in Israel within six hours. In Tel Aviv, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz convened late Tuesday the heads of the IDF, Shin Bet and defense establishment for a situation assessment expected to last through the night. The Jerusalem bombing hit during their deliberations. Acting Prime Minister Sylvan Shalom, in contact with Ariel Sharon who is visiting India, is expected to authorize IDF operations against Palestinian terrorist targets.
Security forces raised the alert level in Jerusalem on Tuesday morning due to a significant increase in terror attack warnings.
Security officials said warnings have been pouring in since the early hours of Tuesday, and expressed a concern that a terrorist has already infiltrated Israel and is on his way to Jerusalem to perpetrate an attack.
Following the warnings, checkpoints were set up all over the Jerusalem area, and policemen have been deployed in the city's roads and heavily populated parts.
Surveying the damage, Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski complained bitterly that a security fence around the city, meant to keep bombers out, has not been completed. "The fence must be built tonight, starting this very night," he told reporters.
"I have a store next to the cafe. I arrived just a few moments after the blast. I saw things that just can't be described, there are no words," said a witness who identified himself only as Shavi.
The blast set off the siren alarms of dozens of parked cars nearby. Police were breaking windos of cars to check if they contain bombs.
Jerusalem Police chief Mickey Levy said at the scene that there were many wounded. Magen David Adom say at least 40 people have been wounded.
Other reports indicate their are scores of wounded. Witnesses report that bystanders, journalists and camera crews are getting in the way of rescue services and police.
Magen David Adom ambulances are racing to the scene.
Meir Stein, a witness at the scene, said the coffee shop is totally destroyed. Chairs and tables are turned over. People are swarming to the area, and police are having difficulties cordoning off the area.
(With The Associated Press)
Because it is September 11th Week, I am almost afraid to respond in my current mood.
I edited my response severely, but it was mostly "*^(&)$*&@!!!!" with various discussions about the prophet and his six-year-old-bride, so nobody missed much.
Stay Mad.
America needs to learn to really hate- To hate almost as much as the people who danced in the streets on 9-11.
Until then, we will simper and whimper and "feel", and "Understand", and crawl, and pass around the herbal tea and healing crystals, instead of speaking to this type of filth in the only language it understands.
sigh
Let's see if I can refrain from posting till next week. I am in an evil, murderous, and ugly mood this week, and I fear my posts will reflect it. (I honestly do not like the feelings, though they are highly appropriate.)
Sounds like a perfect place for a DAISY-CUTTER.
- Israel decides it borders.
- Israel bulldozes EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in Gaza and the West Bank to locations outside of its borders.
- Put up walls to protect Israel from the murderous Mohammedan cult.
- Israel destroys each and every individual that attempts to cause it harm INSIDE ITS OWN NEW BORDERS.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.