Israelis killed in suicide attack
Israel, Local, 7/31/1997

Fifteen Israelis were killed on July 30 when two explosions tore through a crowded outdoor market in West Jerusalem.

Israeli police said the attack was apparently the work of Palestinian suicide bombers.

The bombings, within seconds of each other, were by far the deadliest attack in Israel since Prime Minister Netanyahu¹s election 14 months ago.

"We¹re looking at 19 dead right now, but that¹s not the final figure. The attack was apparently carried out by two suicide bombers, " Israel¹s police Chief Assaf Hefetz told reporters.

He said authorities had imposed a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring Palestinians from entering Israel.

The bombers, who police said had carried the bombs into parallel streets in the Mahane Yehuda market about 40 meters apart, were apparently among the dead.

The injuries, wounded and dead persons were transfused to Hadasa Ain Karim, Hadasa Gabal Skok, and Sharith Sidliah Hospitals.

Police swiftly closed the market to search through garbage bins and debris for any more bombs. Israeli T.V appealed all to citizens to avoid the accident area.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority's Chairman, Yasser Arafat, telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Ezer Weizman to express his condolences over the loss of life in the Jerusalem suicide bombings.

"Arafat called both the Israeli president and prime minister to pay his condolences over the victims of the explosions which took place in the big market in west Jerusalem,² a statement issued by Arafat¹s office said.

All phone communications in the accident area had been suspended, and all cities of the West Bank and Gaza Strip were surrounded by Israeli forces, Israeli Radio said.

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