Celebrating death. And a group affiliated with peace-loving Fatah, on which Bush and Rice have placed such hope, has claimed responsibility. Abbas denounced the attack, but this is yet another indication that he cannot control his people and cannot enforce any peace agreement.
“First suicide bombing in Israel in year,” by Yaniv Zohar for Associated Press (thanks to all who sent this in):
DIMONA, Israel – A suicide bomber blew himself up Monday in the southern town that houses Israel’s secretive nuclear reactor, killing an Israeli woman and wounding seven other people, Israeli officials said. Police said they killed a second attacker before he had a chance to detonate his explosives belt.
It was the first suicide attack in Israel in a year, and officials were investigating whether the attackers came in through Egypt after Palestinian militants breached the Gaza-Egypt border last month.
An offshoot of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement claimed responsibility, complicating recently renewed peace efforts. The attackers, they said, came from the West Bank, though the claim could not immediately be verified.
“Gazans hear of attack, hand out sweets,” by Ali Waked for Ynet News (thanks to Sr. Soph):
As word of the suicide bombing in Dimona spread Monday, Gaza residents were treated to celebratory wreaths of flowers as well as sweets that were handed to drivers and passers-by.
Gaza motorists receiving the treats and sweets also honked their horns in triumph and celebration.
The “party” was somewhat marred when word spread that Abu Sa’ad, a senior member and spokesman for the Salah al-Din Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees’ military wing, was killed in an IDF attack in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya.
A Hamas member told Ynet that the joy in Gaza is heightened by the fact that these attacks were carried out in spite of the siege on Gaza and the stringent security measures imposed by Israel. “The Palestinian organizations can strike back against Israel in spite of the war waged against them,” he said….
Ynet also has video.