Suicide bombing at Netanya shopping mall
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Suicide bombing at Netanya shopping mall

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    Five people were killed and about 90 wounded when a suicide bomber detonated himself on a pedestrian crossing near the entrance to Hasharon Mall in Netanya shortly after 6:30 p.m. The bomber was identified as Ahmed Abu Khalil, 18, from the West Bank village of Atil. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Sharon Region Police Commander Menashe Arviv said an initial investigation revealed the explosive belt detonated by the terrorist weighed about 10 kilograms. The belt also contained nails and ball bearings. He estimated that the bomber detonated the charge prematurely after noticing the large-scale police deployment ordered in Netanya in light of a festival being held that day, as well as the Maccabiah games.

    Among the most seriously wounded were three-year-old Liel Sobersky, her mother, Margarita Sobersky, and grandmother, Anya Lifshitz. Anya died the following day of her wounds.

    The mall was the site of a terror bombing four years ago (May 2001), when five were killed and over 100 wounded.

    In February 2005 another teenage Islamic Jihad suicide bomber from Tulkarm murdered five and wounded dozens outside the Stage Club on the Tel Aviv beach promenade.




    International reactions:

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    ​US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:

    "I condemn in the strongest possible terms today's murderous bombing in Netanya, for which the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad has assumed responsibility. Our deepest sympathy goes to the victims of this heinous attack, their families, and the Israeli people.

    We have been in contact with Israeli officials to express our condolences and to reiterate our stand with Israel against terrorism. This terrorist attack is indeed an attack against the Israeli people. It is also a direct attack against the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

    We have been in touch with the Palestinian leadership and made clear that they must take immediate steps to find those responsible and bring them to justice. The Palestinian leadership has been clear in condemning the attack and now we must see actions that send a message that terror will not be tolerated.

    It is also essential that the Syrian government end its support for terrorist organizations, particularly those which are headquartered and harbored in Damascus such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Syria should immediately stop letting its territory be used for insurgent activities and for activities which frustrate the aspirations of the Lebanese, Iraqi, and Palestinian people."




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    ​British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, representing the United Kingdom as Presidency of the European Union:

    "The Presidency condemns this act of terror in the strongest terms, and offers condolences to the families of the victims and sympathies to the injured. Such attacks are aimed at innocent civilians and at derailing the peace process.

    This attack undermines the genuine progress that we have seen in recent weeks in the search for peace, courageously undertaken by both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It also undermines the commitments made at the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit in February for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

    The persons responsible for this crime must be apprehended and brought to justice. The Presidency calls upon the parties to fully cooperate in this regard. It is essential not to allow terrorists to succeed in sabotaging the recent peace efforts.

    A determined fight against terrorism is crucial for the search for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Presidency urges all States in the region to use their influence in this regard."

  • ​The victims:

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    • Rachel Ben Abu, 16, of Tel Aviv
    • Nofar Horowitz, 16, of Tel Aviv
    • Julia Voloshin, 31, of Netanya
    • Anya Lifshitz, 50, of Netanya died of her wounds on Wednesday (July 13).
    • ​Cpl. Moshe Maor Jan, 21, of Netanya died of his wounds on Thursday (July 14).