Early Tuesday afternoon two blasts ripped through buses in
central Beer Sheva. An MDA spokesman said that at least 35
people had been treated and 15-20 were critically hurt.
Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva later reported that 59 wounded
were admitted.
The attacks seem to have been the work of murderous suicide
bombers. Security officials said that the attack probably
emanated from the south Hebron area, where there is no
security fence. Officials suspect that Hamas is behind the
attack.
Palestinian terrorists have not carried out a successful
suicide bombing inside Israel since March 14, when 11 people
were killed in Ashdod. However attempts are foiled all the
time.
On Monday an alert soldier at the Erez Crossing found a man
carrying an explosive belt. The belt was different than any
the IDF has dealt with before in that it was sewn to resemble
a pair of underpants. The man initially aroused the suspicion
of the troops and when they became aware that the man was
holding false identification, they held him at gunpoint while
they evacuated the entire terminal.
Another would-be bomber was exposed as having tried to apply
for a special entrance permit on the false grounds that he
has cancer and is seeking treatment in Israel.
