Eilat bakery bombing
Encyclopedia
The Eilat bakery bombing occurred on 29 January 2007 when a Palestinian suicide bomber from the Gaza Strip
infiltrated the northern suburbs of Eilat, Israel
. Upon seeing the police
approaching, he entered a neighbourhood bakery and detonated his bomb, killing three Jewish employees (two Israeli, one Peruvian).
In the midst of Palestinian factional violence, both the Islamic Jihad
and the Fatah
-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
claimed joint responsibility.
, the suicide bomber initially set out from the West Bank
, and later on was smuggled into Jordan
. From there he reached Eilat and was given the explosives by militants waiting for him there, after going through seven months of preparations.
Israeli Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter
stated that the bomber infiltrated Israel from Egypt
, echoing conclusions of the other intelligence agencies. Israel stated that the suicide bomber had infiltrated through the 220 kilometer Israeli-Egyptian border which is fenceless and patrolled by minimal IDF
and Border Police
forces. The suicide bomber possibly entered Egypt through an underground tunnel across the Philadelphi Corridor, and was then driven to the Egyptian/Israeli border, which he crossed on foot some 30 km from Eilat.
(res.) Yossi Waltinksy. The Israeli driver stated later on in an interview with Channel 10 that he had suspected the hitchhiker was up to something, mainly due to his suspicious heavy clothing and lack of knowledge of Hebrew
, nevertheless, he wasn't able do do anything at that point until the suspicious passenger got out of his car. Immidiatly after that Waltinksy phoned the police minutes before the bomb was detonated.
The suicide bomber, whom wore a long black winter coat on a warm sunny day, soon approached a small bakery in a residential neighborhood of Eilat. The local police later on stated that the suicide bomber was carrying the bomb in a black bag rather than an explosives belt.
The suicide bomber appeared to have stopped at the bakery for coffee before reaching his final destination, and blew himself up after he saw police cars approaching.
This was Eilat's first suicide bombing, and the first attack to succeed against Israel since 17 April 2006 (others had been attempted, but thwarted by Israeli security forces). Although it was the first suicide bombing to hit the city, through the years there have been other acts of terror committed near Eilat.
and who was a member of the Fatah
-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
.
According to his relatives, al-Saqsaq was depressed because he was unemployed and because his baby daughter recently died of an illness. In addition, his best friend had been killed in clashes with IDF forces. al-Saqsaq's family noted that he was missing for three days, but they "knew he was going to martyrdom operation".
Israel officials stated that Israel has considered the possibility that the suicide bomber was aided by Egyptian security forces.
, then-holder of the European Union
presidency, condemned the attack "in the strongest terms." An EU presidency statement said Germany "urges the Palestinian leadership to do everything in its power to put an end to terror and bring to justice those who support terror.": King Abdullah
condemned the bombing, saying in a statement that "such attacks will only increase the sufferings of the Palestinians.": Minister for Foreign Affairs
Carl Bildt
said, "I condemn today's terrorist attack in Eilat, Israel. Violence that targets civilians is totally unacceptable. [...] The infighting among Palestinian groups is claiming more and more victims. Palestinian leaders must therefore take their responsibility and quickly find a way to resolve the crisis using peaceful means.": Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett
said, "We utterly condemn this morning's suicide attack in Eilat. There can be no justification for such attacks.": White House
spokesman Tony Snow
said the responsibility of the bombing lies with the Palestinian Authority government. He added, "Failure to act against terror will inevitably affect relations between that government and the international community and undermine the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own."
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
infiltrated the northern suburbs of Eilat, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Upon seeing the police
Israel Police
The Israel Police is the civilian police force of Israel. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control, maintaining public safety, and counter-terrorism...
approaching, he entered a neighbourhood bakery and detonated his bomb, killing three Jewish employees (two Israeli, one Peruvian).
In the midst of Palestinian factional violence, both the Islamic Jihad
Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine known in the West as simply Palestinian Islamic Jihad , is a small Palestinian militant organization. The group has been labelled as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia and Israel...
and the Fatah
Fatah
Fataḥ is a major Palestinian political party and the largest faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization , a multi-party confederation. In Palestinian politics it is on the left-wing of the spectrum; it is mainly nationalist, although not predominantly socialist. Its official goals are found...
-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a coalition of Palestinian nationalist militias in the West Bank. The group's name refers to the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem...
claimed joint responsibility.
Background
According to the Islamic JihadIslamic Jihad
Islamic Jihad may refer to:* Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine* Islamic Jihad Organization, active mostly in Lebanon* Islamic Jihad of Yemen* Turkish Islamic Jihad* Egyptian Islamic JihadSee also:* Islamic jihad, theological concept of jihad...
, the suicide bomber initially set out from the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, and later on was smuggled into Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. From there he reached Eilat and was given the explosives by militants waiting for him there, after going through seven months of preparations.
Israeli Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter
Avi Dichter
Avi Dichter is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He is a former Minister of Internal Security and Shin Bet director.-Biography:...
stated that the bomber infiltrated Israel from Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, echoing conclusions of the other intelligence agencies. Israel stated that the suicide bomber had infiltrated through the 220 kilometer Israeli-Egyptian border which is fenceless and patrolled by minimal IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
and Border Police
Israel Border Police
The Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav , meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim . Border Guard is often used as the official name of the...
forces. The suicide bomber possibly entered Egypt through an underground tunnel across the Philadelphi Corridor, and was then driven to the Egyptian/Israeli border, which he crossed on foot some 30 km from Eilat.
The attack
After Infiltrating into Israel, on Monday, 29 January 2007, the suicide bomber hitched a ride with an Israeli man, Lt. Col.Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
(res.) Yossi Waltinksy. The Israeli driver stated later on in an interview with Channel 10 that he had suspected the hitchhiker was up to something, mainly due to his suspicious heavy clothing and lack of knowledge of Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, nevertheless, he wasn't able do do anything at that point until the suspicious passenger got out of his car. Immidiatly after that Waltinksy phoned the police minutes before the bomb was detonated.
The suicide bomber, whom wore a long black winter coat on a warm sunny day, soon approached a small bakery in a residential neighborhood of Eilat. The local police later on stated that the suicide bomber was carrying the bomb in a black bag rather than an explosives belt.
The suicide bomber appeared to have stopped at the bakery for coffee before reaching his final destination, and blew himself up after he saw police cars approaching.
This was Eilat's first suicide bombing, and the first attack to succeed against Israel since 17 April 2006 (others had been attempted, but thwarted by Israeli security forces). Although it was the first suicide bombing to hit the city, through the years there have been other acts of terror committed near Eilat.
Fatalities
The perpetrators
Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, together with two other terrorist groups. A spokesman of Islamic Jihad declared that the suicide bomber was a 21-year-old named Muhammed Faisal al-Saqsaq who originated from Gaza CityGaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
and who was a member of the Fatah
Fatah
Fataḥ is a major Palestinian political party and the largest faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization , a multi-party confederation. In Palestinian politics it is on the left-wing of the spectrum; it is mainly nationalist, although not predominantly socialist. Its official goals are found...
-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a coalition of Palestinian nationalist militias in the West Bank. The group's name refers to the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem...
.
According to his relatives, al-Saqsaq was depressed because he was unemployed and because his baby daughter recently died of an illness. In addition, his best friend had been killed in clashes with IDF forces. al-Saqsaq's family noted that he was missing for three days, but they "knew he was going to martyrdom operation".
Aftermath
A large crowd gathered outside the bomber's home to praise the attack. "Mohammed be happy. You will go directly to heaven," the crowd chanted, while children held pictures of the bomber. He looked pensive in one image, and held a machine gun in another.Israel officials stated that Israel has considered the possibility that the suicide bomber was aided by Egyptian security forces.
Government reactions
International: GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, then-holder of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
presidency, condemned the attack "in the strongest terms." An EU presidency statement said Germany "urges the Palestinian leadership to do everything in its power to put an end to terror and bring to justice those who support terror.": King Abdullah
Abdullah II of Jordan
Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein is the reigning King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He ascended the throne on 7 February 1999 after the death of his father King Hussein. King Abdullah, whose mother is Princess Muna al-Hussein, is a member of the Hashemite family...
condemned the bombing, saying in a statement that "such attacks will only increase the sufferings of the Palestinians.": Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the foreign minister of Sweden and the head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.The office was instituted in 1809 as a result of the constitutional Instrument of Government promulgated in the same year. Until 1876 the office was called Prime Minister for Foreign...
Carl Bildt
Carl Bildt
, Honorary KCMG is a Swedish politician, diplomat and nobleman. Formerly Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991 to 1994 and leader of the liberal conservative Moderate Party from 1986 to 1999, Bildt has served as Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs since 6 October 2006...
said, "I condemn today's terrorist attack in Eilat, Israel. Violence that targets civilians is totally unacceptable. [...] The infighting among Palestinian groups is claiming more and more victims. Palestinian leaders must therefore take their responsibility and quickly find a way to resolve the crisis using peaceful means.": Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett
Margaret Beckett
Margaret Mary Beckett is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Derby South since 1983, rising to become the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party under John Smith, from 18 July 1992 to 12 May 1994, and briefly serving as Leader of the Party following Smith's death...
said, "We utterly condemn this morning's suicide attack in Eilat. There can be no justification for such attacks.": White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
spokesman Tony Snow
Tony Snow
Robert Anthony "Tony" Snow was an American journalist, political commentator, television news anchor, syndicated columnist, radio host, musician, and the third White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush. Snow also worked for President George H. W. Bush as chief speechwriter and...
said the responsibility of the bombing lies with the Palestinian Authority government. He added, "Failure to act against terror will inevitably affect relations between that government and the international community and undermine the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own."
See also
- Heth routeHeth routeHeth route is the name given by the Israeli defense establishment to refer the route used by terrorists and smugglers to penetrate into Israel...
- List of Palestinian Islamic Jihad suicide attacks
- Palestinian political violencePalestinian political violencePalestinian political violence refers to acts of violence undertaken to further the Palestinian cause. These political objectives include self-determination in and sovereignty over Palestine, the liberation of Palestine and establishment of a Palestinian state, either in place of both Israel and...
External links
- Terror Returns to Israel - published on TIMETimeTime is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
on January 29, 2007 - Suicide bomber kills 3 in Israel's Eilat resort - published on Washington Post on January 29, 2007
- Bomber Strikes Israel Holiday Resort - published on Sky NewsSky NewsSky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
on January 29, 2007 - Bomber Strikes Israel Holiday Resort - BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
on January 29, 2007 - Suicide bombing in Eilat bakery - published at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs