Sonol gas station bombing
Encyclopedia
The Sonol gas station bombing was a double suicide bombing attack which occurred on October 27, 2002 near a Sonol gas station located at the entrance to the Israeli city Ariel
. 3 people were killed in the attack and approximately 18 people were injured. All of the fatalities were IDF reservists. Hamas
claimed responsibility for the attack.
. The gas station cafeteria was full of Israeli soldiers whom were waiting for their bus.
As the suicide bomber approached the gas station, a worker at the nearby cafeteria spotted him and informed her boss that the man looked suspicious. The owner of the cafeteria Menachem Gilboa and an attendant at the gas station approached the suspect, identified him as a terrorist, wrestled him to the floor and held his arms, thus preventing him from detonating his explosive device. By doing so Gilboa noticed that the suspect was wearing an explosives belt underneath his shirt. The two screamed for help and subsequently three soldiers ran towards them to assist them subdue the terrorist.
Meanwhile, an Israeli civilian security guard named Shachar Keshet, whom was at the gas station fueling his car, quickly approached the commotion, was told that it was a suicide bomber, and as a result he immediately drew out his gun and shot the terrorist twice in the head. Nevertheless, as the dead terrorist fell to the ground the explosives on his body exploded.
The three soldiers who tried to subdue the bomber were killed in the explosion. 20 people additional people were injured in the explosion, one of them seriously.
As a result of the explosion, a small fire broke out at the gas station, which was later on quickly put out by the firefighters.
The islamist militant organization Hamas
claimed responsibility for the attack .
to capture militants associated with the attack. During the operation the Israeli military force was caught in an exchange of fire with the militia forces whom refused to turn themselves in. Three members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were killed during the exchange of fire. Two Israeli soldiers were injured in the incident.
Israel:
Palestinian territories:
Ariel (city)
Ariel is an Israeli settlement and a city in the West Bank. Ariel was established in 1978. Its population at the end of 2009 was 17,600, including 7,000 immigrants who came to Israel after 1990. It is the fourth largest Jewish settlement city in the West Bank., after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit,...
. 3 people were killed in the attack and approximately 18 people were injured. All of the fatalities were IDF reservists. Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack
On Sunday, October 27, 2002 around 11:30 am, a young Palestinian suicide bomber approached a gas station cafeteria at the entrance to the Israeli settlement ArielAriel (city)
Ariel is an Israeli settlement and a city in the West Bank. Ariel was established in 1978. Its population at the end of 2009 was 17,600, including 7,000 immigrants who came to Israel after 1990. It is the fourth largest Jewish settlement city in the West Bank., after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit,...
. The gas station cafeteria was full of Israeli soldiers whom were waiting for their bus.
As the suicide bomber approached the gas station, a worker at the nearby cafeteria spotted him and informed her boss that the man looked suspicious. The owner of the cafeteria Menachem Gilboa and an attendant at the gas station approached the suspect, identified him as a terrorist, wrestled him to the floor and held his arms, thus preventing him from detonating his explosive device. By doing so Gilboa noticed that the suspect was wearing an explosives belt underneath his shirt. The two screamed for help and subsequently three soldiers ran towards them to assist them subdue the terrorist.
Meanwhile, an Israeli civilian security guard named Shachar Keshet, whom was at the gas station fueling his car, quickly approached the commotion, was told that it was a suicide bomber, and as a result he immediately drew out his gun and shot the terrorist twice in the head. Nevertheless, as the dead terrorist fell to the ground the explosives on his body exploded.
The three soldiers who tried to subdue the bomber were killed in the explosion. 20 people additional people were injured in the explosion, one of them seriously.
As a result of the explosion, a small fire broke out at the gas station, which was later on quickly put out by the firefighters.
The islamist militant organization Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
claimed responsibility for the attack .
Fatalities
- Maj. (res.) Tamir Masad, 41, of Ben ShemenBen ShemenBen Shemen is a moshav in central Israel. Located around four kilometres east of Lod, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hevel Modi'in Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 627....
- Lt Matan Zagron, 22, of Itamar
- Sgt-Maj Amihud Hasid, 32, of Tapuah
Israeli retaliation
A few hours after the attack Israel sent military troops into northern West Bank to the town of JeninJenin
Jenin is the largest town in the Northern West Bank, and the third largest city overall. It serves as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate and is a major agricultural center for the surrounding towns. In 2007, the city had a population of 120,004 not including the adjacent refugee...
to capture militants associated with the attack. During the operation the Israeli military force was caught in an exchange of fire with the militia forces whom refused to turn themselves in. Three members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were killed during the exchange of fire. Two Israeli soldiers were injured in the incident.
Official reactions
Involved parties Israel:
- David Baker, an official spokesman for Prime Minister Ariel SharonAriel SharonAriel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
, whom spoke about the incident stated that "Once again, the vicious agenda of Palestinian terrorists has taken its toll".
Palestinian territories:
- Palestinian National AuthorityPalestinian National AuthorityThe Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
- PNA officials condemned the attack and stated that its security forces are unable to act against Palestinian militant groups because Israeli troops have taken over most cities in the West Bank.
External links
- Bomb Kills 3 Israeli Soldiers Near Settlement; Blast Follows Confrontation With Attacker - published on the Washington Post on October 28, 2002
- Suicide bomber kills 3; Troops kill 2 - published on the Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
on October 28, 2002