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January 29, 2007

Israel: Islamic Jihad Bomber Kills Three In Eilat

Eilat, situated in the south of Israel on the Red Sea Coast, was today hit by a suicide bomber. The killer, Mohammed Siksik, had managed to enter Eilat via Egypt, where the border at Gaza is a weak point in Israel's national defenses. He blew himself up inside a bakery.

The news is carried by YNET News, AKI, Associated Press, Reuters, DPA and Breaking News.

The murderer came from Gaza, and had told his parents about the attack before he went. His mother, wearing a white veil, said: "He told me: 'Meeting God is better for me than this whole world'." Siksik's mother gave her blessing to the operation. Rowayda Siksik told the press: "He said: 'Goodbye, I am going, mother. Forgive me.' I told him: 'God be with you'."

A party was held at the house in the afternoon, where about 20 people had gathered. There was talk that 21-year old Siksik, who had married a year previously, had been depressed after his seven-month old daughter had died of a nerve disease. His mother also tried to justify Siksik's action by saying that Nader Amrein, her son's best friend and a member of Fatah, had been killed in an Israeli operation six months ago.

Mohammed Siksik was the brother of a leading Islamic Jihad official. Fatah members and Hamas argued over who would be hosting the funeral. Siksik's attack was the first suicide bombing to have taken place in Israel in nine months. The last had been on April 17 in Tel Aviv near the bus station, and had killed six people. Palestinian news gave the killer's name as Faisal al-Saqsaq.

The attack happened in the bakery while shoppers were in abundance, early this morning. Two individuals were critically injured in the blast, which sent blood-stained bread trays and glass into the street outside.

Siksik had worn a long winter coat on a hot sunny morning, and had stood out. Instead of wearing an explosive belt, he carried the bomb in a bag.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (the military wing of Fatah) both claimed responsibility for the attack. Hamas officially condoned the bombing, calling it an act of legitimate "resistance" against Israel.

Bruno Stein, Eilat District police commander, said: "This is an extremely serious incident which requires us to think fast. We have boosted our forces' presence in the city and are working on finding out who stands behind the bombing. Our assumption is that it's not one bomber, and there might be more bombers in Eilat right now."

Eilat is a popular resort destination, and currently Israel is on a high security alert. Amir Peretz, the defense minister, said: "This is a grave incident, it's an escalation and we shall treat it as such." Ehud Olmert, the prime minister, vowed to continue the "ongoing and never-ending struggle against terrorists."

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at January 29, 2007 3:29 PM

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