A suicide bombing occurred on 12 April 2002 at a bus stop located at the entrance to the Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem's main fruit and vegetable market. The site of the attack was chosen in order to cause maximum number of casualties. 6 civilians were killed in the attack and 104 were injured. The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.[1]
The attack
On Friday, 12 April 2002, Andalib Suleiman, a Palestinian 17-year-old female suicide bomber, detonated an explosive device hidden on her body shortly after 4:00 pm[2] at a bus stop located at the entrance to the popular outdoor market, killing six civilians and injuring 104 people, many of them teenagers and tourists. She was initially misidentified as Nidal Daraghmeh from Jenin.[3]
The assailant first attempted to enter the market, but found security too tight. She then went to Jaffa Road and attempted to board a bus, but was prevented from boarding and set off her bomb, which was packed with nails to inflict maximum damage on victims. The bus was torn to pieces by the impact.[3]
Muataz Muhammed Abdallah Himouni (21), of Hebron, arrested on 6 May 2002 claimed credit for planning the attack, supplying the bomber with explosives, and directing her to blow herself in a crowd at the Mahane Yehuda market or nearby Jaffa Road.[4]
Impact
A scheduled meeting between American Secretary of State Colin Powell and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat was cancelled as a result of the bombing.[5]
^ abPetrou, Michael (13 April 2002). "Woman patiently sought out target: She chose bus after finding security too tight at market". National Post. ProQuest330020138.
^"Israelis arrest bombing suspect". Ottawa Citizen. 7 May 2002. ProQuest240561220.
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