[INTL] Bomb at Tel Aviv Beach
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here is a report on the blast....also note that cnn says there are dozens injured and reports of deaths among them....
June 1, 2001 23:40 (Israel time)
Dozens injured in explosion at popular Tel Aviv nightspot
Updated: 00:06
Amit BenAroya, Ha'aretz Correspondent and Ha'aretz Service
A bomb exploded late Friday night near the Tel Aviv Dolphinarium, a popular nightspot. Israel Radio reported dozens were injured in the blast.
At least one person was killed in the blast, who police believe was the suicide bomber.
Police have closed off area and are searching for other explosive devices in the area. Ambulences have arrived to treat the injured.
The Dolphinarium area is located on the beach and is typically crowded on Friday night. It is also the site of a popular discoteque.
another wire report now...
note: cnn now showing raw pictures of the area. they report the hospitial is saying there are fatalities and that 'dozens' were injured.......
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - An explosion rocked Tel Aviv on Friday, wounding at least 20 people, an ambulance worker told Israel Radio.
"It seems that we are talking about a suicide bomber," he said.
Israel Radio said the bomber had blown himself up on Tel Aviv's seaside promenade, a popular entertainment area of discos and cafes filled with weekend revelers and that it appeared there were "a large number of wounded."
A witness named Avi told the radio: "I entered a nightclub and suddenly there was a flash and a boom that threw me backward."
Israeli army radio said that six ambulances had rushed to the scene and that at least 20 people appeared to be hurt. Police were trying to evacuate the area after the blast out of concern there could be other explosive devices in the area.
Islamic militant suicide bombers have launched a series of attacks against Israeli targets in recent weeks, killing and wounding scores of military and civilian targets.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
note: cnn now showing raw pictures of the area. they report the hospitial is saying there are fatalities and that 'dozens' were injured.......
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - An explosion rocked Tel Aviv on Friday, wounding at least 20 people, an ambulance worker told Israel Radio.
"It seems that we are talking about a suicide bomber," he said.
Israel Radio said the bomber had blown himself up on Tel Aviv's seaside promenade, a popular entertainment area of discos and cafes filled with weekend revelers and that it appeared there were "a large number of wounded."
A witness named Avi told the radio: "I entered a nightclub and suddenly there was a flash and a boom that threw me backward."
Israeli army radio said that six ambulances had rushed to the scene and that at least 20 people appeared to be hurt. Police were trying to evacuate the area after the blast out of concern there could be other explosive devices in the area.
Islamic militant suicide bombers have launched a series of attacks against Israeli targets in recent weeks, killing and wounding scores of military and civilian targets.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
With Israel saying they were going to launch a 48-hour cleansing of Palestinian areas soon, I have to wonder if they might not step up the timetable after this one. Much as I hate for things like this to happen, and as much as I would love to avoid violence wherever possible, I have to say I wish _something_ would happen, just so we can get that "at last" feeling. See my thread "What's it gonna take" for more.
cnn now reports at least 60 injured.....and more injued/dead possible as the rescue are still working the area.
another wire report....
The blast went off at the entrance to a nightclub named Pascha that faced a promenade. The nightclub is inside a former aquarium on the beachside boardwalk. A witness told Israel Radio that the bomber had stood with a group of young people waiting to get in.
A 20-year-old woman who gave her name only as Vered said: "We were right across the street. We heard a huge explosion, and we ran away."
A witness told Israel Radio: "I saw people fly through the air. There were lots of wounded."
Thirty ambulances raced to the scene of the blast, which occurred about 11 p.m. Helicopters hovered overhead.
The bloodstained gloves of paramedics lay on the sidewalk along with personal effects left by those who were injured. Panicked drivers raced away from the scene at high speed.
There was no immediate word on who carried out the attack, but in recent months of Israeli and Palestinian fighting, Islamic militants have detonated more than a dozen bombs.
The Islamic militant group Hamas has said it would carry out at least 10 suicide bombings and so far has claimed responsibility for eight.
Israel security forces have been on high alert but have been unable to block the border with the West Bank to prevent infiltration.
Since fighting erupted last September, 483 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and 88 on the Israeli side, including 24 settlers.
The blast capped a week after the United States restarted efforts to bring the two sides together again. Israeli and Palestinian security chief held two rounds of talks and U.S. diplomats met with Israeli officials to discuss implementation of a report by an international commission headed by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. The report recommended a staged process of an end to violence, confidence-building measures and a return to negotiations.
However, there have been no Palestinian-U.S. meetings over the Mitchell report since the U.S. expressed displeasure over Palestinian representation at another track of talks, involving security commanders, according to an official close to the negotiations who demanded anonymity.
another wire report....
The blast went off at the entrance to a nightclub named Pascha that faced a promenade. The nightclub is inside a former aquarium on the beachside boardwalk. A witness told Israel Radio that the bomber had stood with a group of young people waiting to get in.
A 20-year-old woman who gave her name only as Vered said: "We were right across the street. We heard a huge explosion, and we ran away."
A witness told Israel Radio: "I saw people fly through the air. There were lots of wounded."
Thirty ambulances raced to the scene of the blast, which occurred about 11 p.m. Helicopters hovered overhead.
The bloodstained gloves of paramedics lay on the sidewalk along with personal effects left by those who were injured. Panicked drivers raced away from the scene at high speed.
There was no immediate word on who carried out the attack, but in recent months of Israeli and Palestinian fighting, Islamic militants have detonated more than a dozen bombs.
The Islamic militant group Hamas has said it would carry out at least 10 suicide bombings and so far has claimed responsibility for eight.
Israel security forces have been on high alert but have been unable to block the border with the West Bank to prevent infiltration.
Since fighting erupted last September, 483 people have been killed on the Palestinian side and 88 on the Israeli side, including 24 settlers.
The blast capped a week after the United States restarted efforts to bring the two sides together again. Israeli and Palestinian security chief held two rounds of talks and U.S. diplomats met with Israeli officials to discuss implementation of a report by an international commission headed by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. The report recommended a staged process of an end to violence, confidence-building measures and a return to negotiations.
However, there have been no Palestinian-U.S. meetings over the Mitchell report since the U.S. expressed displeasure over Palestinian representation at another track of talks, involving security commanders, according to an official close to the negotiations who demanded anonymity.
Here's the latest update...June 2, 2001 00:20 (Israel time)
17 killed, more than 80 injured in suicide bomb attack at popular Tel Aviv nightspot
Updated: 04:46
Amit BenAroya and Tamar Traubman, Ha'aretz Correspondents and Ha'aretz Service
Seventeen people were killed and more than 80 injured - most of them teenagers - in a suicide bomb attack close to midnight Friday at a popular nightclub near the Tel Aviv Dolphinarium. Nineteen people were said to be in serious condition.
According to eye-witness accounts, the bomber mingled with a big group of young people waiting to enter the Infinity nightclub and then blew himself up. "There was a huge blast and then I saw people flying through the air," said one eyewitness, who was in a nearby nightclub.
The Islamic Jihad organization claimed responsibility for the attack in an announcement broadcast on Abu Dhabi Television.
Police closed off the area for fear there might be other bombs in the vicinity. Channel One television reported that some 30 ambulances had arrived at the scene of the attack to evacuate the injured.
Many of the injured were teenage immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Police said that the damage caused by the bomber had been particularly devastating because the explosive device contained bolts and pieces of metal.
Forty of the injured were taken to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, eight of them in serious condition. A further 19 of the injured were evacuated to Wolfson Hospital in Holon, three of them in serious condition. The injured were also admitted to Tel Hashomer Hospital and Beilinson Hospital.
The Dolphinarium, which is no longer functional, is part of a beachside boardwalk area with many restaurants, nightclubs and coffee shops, which are typically crowded on Friday night. The police issued an order for all nightclubs and entertainment areas in Tel Aviv to be closed for the night.
Talking from the scene of the attack, Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonishki said that, "We have to continue to operate on the ground in an effort to cut down the number of attacks as much as possible. Even though we have succeeded many times (in preventing attacks), this time it is very bad. The terrorists want to strike in every possible place, to break our morale."
Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai, who also arrived at the scene of the attack, said, "This just proves that the whole country is the frontline."
This is the fifth bomb attack in a major city in the last week. Noone was killed in the four previous attacks - two in Jerusalem, one in Hadera and one in Netanya.
17 killed, more than 80 injured in suicide bomb attack at popular Tel Aviv nightspot
Updated: 04:46
Amit BenAroya and Tamar Traubman, Ha'aretz Correspondents and Ha'aretz Service
Seventeen people were killed and more than 80 injured - most of them teenagers - in a suicide bomb attack close to midnight Friday at a popular nightclub near the Tel Aviv Dolphinarium. Nineteen people were said to be in serious condition.
According to eye-witness accounts, the bomber mingled with a big group of young people waiting to enter the Infinity nightclub and then blew himself up. "There was a huge blast and then I saw people flying through the air," said one eyewitness, who was in a nearby nightclub.
The Islamic Jihad organization claimed responsibility for the attack in an announcement broadcast on Abu Dhabi Television.
Police closed off the area for fear there might be other bombs in the vicinity. Channel One television reported that some 30 ambulances had arrived at the scene of the attack to evacuate the injured.
Many of the injured were teenage immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Police said that the damage caused by the bomber had been particularly devastating because the explosive device contained bolts and pieces of metal.
Forty of the injured were taken to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, eight of them in serious condition. A further 19 of the injured were evacuated to Wolfson Hospital in Holon, three of them in serious condition. The injured were also admitted to Tel Hashomer Hospital and Beilinson Hospital.
The Dolphinarium, which is no longer functional, is part of a beachside boardwalk area with many restaurants, nightclubs and coffee shops, which are typically crowded on Friday night. The police issued an order for all nightclubs and entertainment areas in Tel Aviv to be closed for the night.
Talking from the scene of the attack, Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonishki said that, "We have to continue to operate on the ground in an effort to cut down the number of attacks as much as possible. Even though we have succeeded many times (in preventing attacks), this time it is very bad. The terrorists want to strike in every possible place, to break our morale."
Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai, who also arrived at the scene of the attack, said, "This just proves that the whole country is the frontline."
This is the fifth bomb attack in a major city in the last week. Noone was killed in the four previous attacks - two in Jerusalem, one in Hadera and one in Netanya.
AbbyLane2001
Membership Revoked
I've got a real bad feeling about what the backlash for this is going to be.
Abby
Abby
AbbyLane2001
Membership Revoked
Sharon considers plan
for 48-hour knockout punch
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, June 1, 2001
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been presented with a plan calling for the destruction of the Palestinian Authority in two days.
"It's clear that the continuation of the terrorism and the restraint cannot continue for much longer, not more than a few days," Israeli President Moshe Katsav told state-owned Israel Radio on Friday.
The plan presented by National Infrastructure Minister Avigdor Lieberman would launch an Israeli military invasion of at least six major cities in the West Bank and another four in the Gaza Strip, Middle East Newsline reported. Israeli troops would be given at least two days to destroy Palestinian military installations, weapons factories and arresting leaders of the Palestinian insurgency.
The Israeli capture of these cities would be brief, according to the plan. The West Bank would then be divided into a series of provinces administered separately by Palestinians. Israel would then discuss with new Palestinians leaders such issues as self-rule.
"We have to go into Area A [PA territory] and destroy the entire military infrastructure," Lieberman said.
Israeli officials said the military has drawn up similar plans and they are now being reviewed by Sharon. The officials said Sharon is expected to delay any Israeli attack until after he returns from his European tour, which begins on Sunday. The prime minister is scheduled to fly to Berlin, Brussels and Paris.
Katsav was speaking in Washington where he met his U.S. counterpart, George Bush. Israeli sources said Katsav submitted to Bush a request from Sharon for an additional $800 million in U.S. military aid pledged by the previous Clinton administration.
Sharon is under increasing pressure from some of his Likud Party and right-wing ministers as well as Jewish settlers to launch an offensive against the PA. On Thursday, several Israelis were arrested during a demonstration in Jerusalem against the government's policy of restraint. "We need Winston Churchill and not Chamberlain," Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, spiritual leader of the Jewish settlement of Efrat, said.
PA officials said they are preparing for an Israeli onslaught. They said Israel has waged a psychological warfare that seeks to sow strife within the Palestinian leadership.
PA gunners fired mortars early Friday toward Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military, as part of its unilateral ceasefire, did not respond.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned PA Chairman Yasser Arafat and reiterated the U.S. demand to end the eight-month-old war against Israel.
for 48-hour knockout punch
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, June 1, 2001
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been presented with a plan calling for the destruction of the Palestinian Authority in two days.
"It's clear that the continuation of the terrorism and the restraint cannot continue for much longer, not more than a few days," Israeli President Moshe Katsav told state-owned Israel Radio on Friday.
The plan presented by National Infrastructure Minister Avigdor Lieberman would launch an Israeli military invasion of at least six major cities in the West Bank and another four in the Gaza Strip, Middle East Newsline reported. Israeli troops would be given at least two days to destroy Palestinian military installations, weapons factories and arresting leaders of the Palestinian insurgency.
The Israeli capture of these cities would be brief, according to the plan. The West Bank would then be divided into a series of provinces administered separately by Palestinians. Israel would then discuss with new Palestinians leaders such issues as self-rule.
"We have to go into Area A [PA territory] and destroy the entire military infrastructure," Lieberman said.
Israeli officials said the military has drawn up similar plans and they are now being reviewed by Sharon. The officials said Sharon is expected to delay any Israeli attack until after he returns from his European tour, which begins on Sunday. The prime minister is scheduled to fly to Berlin, Brussels and Paris.
Katsav was speaking in Washington where he met his U.S. counterpart, George Bush. Israeli sources said Katsav submitted to Bush a request from Sharon for an additional $800 million in U.S. military aid pledged by the previous Clinton administration.
Sharon is under increasing pressure from some of his Likud Party and right-wing ministers as well as Jewish settlers to launch an offensive against the PA. On Thursday, several Israelis were arrested during a demonstration in Jerusalem against the government's policy of restraint. "We need Winston Churchill and not Chamberlain," Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, spiritual leader of the Jewish settlement of Efrat, said.
PA officials said they are preparing for an Israeli onslaught. They said Israel has waged a psychological warfare that seeks to sow strife within the Palestinian leadership.
PA gunners fired mortars early Friday toward Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military, as part of its unilateral ceasefire, did not respond.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned PA Chairman Yasser Arafat and reiterated the U.S. demand to end the eight-month-old war against Israel.