Suicide bomber strikes in Be'er Sheva /Israel (moved from ATSNN)

A suicide bomber detonated himself outside the central bus station in the center of the Negev capital of Be'er Sheva early Sunday, wounding at least 51 people. Two of the wounded, both security guards who kept the bomber from entering the bus station, were in critical condition. The bus station was slightly damaged thanks to quick action by security guards, who approached the terrorist and averted a more devastating disaster.




The bombing, which comes exactly a week after the Gaza and northern West Bank pullout has been completed, marks the first major terror attack in a month and half, following the last suicide bombing in the coastal town of Netanya.

Sunday is always a high-traffic day in the country's bus stations, with crowds of soldiers returning to their army bases. Following the blast, large police and rescue forces were dispatched to the scene. Meanwhile, police forces set up roadblocks and sealed off the exits from Be'er Sheva in search of suspects.



[edit on 28-8-2005 by Riwka]

you cannot reason or bargain with terrorists, mostly because they may not be a central command of any type and they may work solo. In any case giving gaza to the terrorists did nothing to appease them as evident here.

They do not work solo.


Hamas released on Saturday a videotape of Mohammed Deif, who is believed to top Israel's most-wanted list for his role in a series of terror attacks in which hundreds of people were killed.




He vowed to continue the group's violent struggle until it expels Israel from the West Bank and ultimately eliminates Israel altogether.

"We will not hesitate, and we will not rest until we liberate our holy land fully," he said.

[He said in a message to Israel:]

"Today you are leaving hell. But we promise you that tomorrow all Palestine will be hell for you, God willing," Deif continued. (Source)

Israel has demanded that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas disqualify Hamas from the elections; but Abbas was quoted as telling the Islamic Hamas were a legitimate party for Palestinian legislative elections set for January.

I think that banning Hammas from elections would be counterproductive to both Israeli and Palestinian Authourity aims of maintaining the ceasefire. The moderate supporters of Hamas would be pretty outraged at their parties banning and might be funnelled into extremist groups.

Much like Sharon hasnt crucified the Kahane Chai terrorist organisation for its threats to Israeli ministers over his disengagement plans. If he did wouldnt you assume that the violence would escalate?

The second Oslo agreement leaves no room for doubt:

Hamas is not entitled to participate in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections.

"The nomination of any candidates, parties or coalitions shall be refused, and such nomination or registration once made will be canceled," states Article II of Annex II,

if they 1. "commit or advocate racism"

or 2. "pursue the implementation of their aims by unlawful or non-democratic means."

In the Hamas covenant there is hardly a page free of racism.

Hamas has been making its point of view abundantly clear: continue the group's violent struggle until it ultimately eliminates Israel altogether.


(BTW: Israel outlawed Kach and its offshoot Kahane Chai (“Kahane Lives”) in 1994.)

Well I would also support the crack down on Hamas and its banning from the legislative process but Israeli citizens will bare the brunt of that decision.

Also the outlawing of Kahane Chai doesnt mean that Sharon has actively sought out its followers following the recent threats to Israeli ministers. At a time when extreme Israeli discontent was occuring its not wise to crack down on a group that these temporary extremists might sympathise with.

[edit on 28/8/05 by subz]

Hamas should hunted down and exterminated. ALL terrorist should be hunted down and exterminated. IF there is any question as to IF someone is a terrorist, exterminate anyway.

So much for "Land for peace" BS.

Originally posted by SkepticSanity
Hamas should hunted down and exterminated. ALL terrorist should be hunted down and exterminated. IF there is any question as to IF someone is a terrorist, exterminate anyway.

So much for "Land for peace" BS

Thanks for sharing that nugget of wisdom!!

Yes lets all advocate arbitrary and unabated wholesale slaughter. It looks like Salem outside today (pun intended).