Attack type suicide bombing | Date June 11, 2003 | |
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Deaths 17 civilians (+ 1 bomber) Non-fatal injuries approximately 100 civilians Perpetrators Hamas claimed responsibility | ||
The Davidka Square bus bombing was a suicide bombing on June 11, 2003, on Egged bus line 14a in the center of Jerusalem, Israel. 17 people were killed in the attack and over 100 people were injured.
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Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack
At about 17:30 pm on Wednesday, June 11, 2003, a Palestinian suicide bomber dressed as an Orthodox Jew, boarded bus 14a at the Mahane Yehuda market bus stop on Jaffa Road. At Davidka Square, the bomber detonated his explosive device, which contained a large quantity of metal shrapnel designed to cause maximum casualties.
17 people were killed in the attack and more than 100 people were injured, including dozens of passersby.
The perpetrators
Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that the attack was an act of vengeance for the Israeli assassination attempt on the senior Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi on Tuesday, June 10, 2003. Rantisi survived the assassination attempt during which Israeli helicopters fired missiles at his car.
Lawsuits were filed against Arab Bank, NatWest and Crédit Lyonnais for channeling money to Hamas.
Israeli retaliation
Shortly after the bus attack, Israel launched a counter-terrorist attack in east Gaza in which Israeli helicopters fired rockets at a moving car carrying among others two seniors of the Hamas military arm. All of the car's 6 passengers were killed in the counterattack.
Official reactions
Israel: A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon stated that the suicide attack indicates that the Palestinians have done nothing to crack down on militants.
Palestinian territories: