Location Immanuel, West Bank Deaths 11 Israeli civilians | Date 12 December 2001 Non-fatal injuries 30 Israeli civilians | |
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Attack type Ambush, Mass murder, spree killing, Bombing, Shooting attack Weapons AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, a roadside bomb | ||
The 2001 Immanuel bus attack was an ambush attack by Palestinian militants targeting Israeli civilians on 12 December 2001. Eleven passengers were killed in the attack and 30 were injured.
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The Palestinian Islamist militant organization al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack
On 12 December 2001, three armed Palestinians militants planted a roadside bomb beside the road leading to the Jewish settlement of Immanuel. After placing two roadside bombs, the assailants ambushed a bus on its way from Bnei Brak.
Soon after, a non-armoured Dan bus line 189, en route to Immanuel from Bnei Brak, approached the site as two roadside bombs exploded. The bus, which was greatly damaged in the explosions, continued to drive several hundred meters until it was immobilized. Immediately after the bus was immobilized, one of the militants approached the bus, threw hand grenades into the bus, and fired small arms on the passengers of the bus and at the vehicles arriving at the site, while the passengers attempted to flee the bus. The passengers of three other vehicles traveling on this road at that time were also affected.
Army and police forces arrived at the scene soon afterwards and a firefight erupted. A long exchange of fire ended with the killing of the perpetrators.
11 people were killed in the attack and about 30 were injured.
Official reactions
Israel:
Palestinian territories: