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Newsletter : 8fax1020.txt
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>JN Oct. 20, 1998, Vol. 6, No. 187
Increased Fax Calls to Wye Summit
By IsraelWire
As the reports continue to "leak" from inside the Wye summit, more
and more Israelis who oppose an Israeli withdrawal from areas
throughout Judea and Samaria are taking actions to notify ministers
and the prime minister that a signed agreement will place more
citizens in peril. The number being distributed to get a message to
the Israeli delegation at the Wye Plantation is (410) 827-9295
64 injured in Beersheva Grenade Attack
By Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem) and IsraelWire
At least 64 people were injured in Monday's grenade attack at a bus
station in Beersheva. Two of the victims were injured seriously. A
senior Israeli police officer told Army Radio that one Arab man was
arrested and has confessed to carrying out the attack.
Witnesses heard two blasts at Beersheva's main bus station, at
about 8 a.m. At the height of the morning rush hour. One man said
he saw crowds of people running from the station after the first
explosion and heard a second blast about five seconds later.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the militant Islamic group
Hamas has been warning that it would carry out attacks to avenge
the deaths of two of its leaders, shot dead last month by Israeli
soldiers.
Passersby wrestled the alleged attacker to the ground, roughed him
up and handed him over to police. After the blasts, army-issue
olive duffel bags and clothes were strewn on the pavement near one
of the glass-covered bus stops. A soldier's polished black boots,
with the socks stuffed inside, were left behind on a traffic
island.
One teenager is reported in critical condition in Soroka Hospital's
intensive care unit following surgery, and doctors explain he is
fighting for his life. Another victim is listed in serious
condition, three in moderate and the remainder in light condition.
Thirty four victims remained hospitalized as a result of the blast,
most of whom were injured as a result of shrapnel.
At a few minutes before 8 a.m., the terrorist approached the Number 14 bus stop in the central bus station and hurled a grenade into the crowd. Most of the victims were injured at this time. The terrorist then fled to the section of the central bus station where the stores are located, at which time he threw a second grenade.
Bus driver Avner Yaakov, who saw the second grenade being thrown,
stopped his bus and jumped the terrorist. A soldier and then others
joined in and the terrorist, a resident of the southern Hebron
Hills area, was apprehended and turned over to police. The entire
attack, including the throwing of both grenades, took less than 30
seconds according to police. According to several police and
Beersheva officials, the terrorist in custody has admitted to
carrying out the attack.
While visiting the wounded in Soroka Hospital, President Ezer
Weizman called upon the prime minister to continue the talks, but
emphasized the world must realize the problems that face Israel
vis-à-vis security issues is much more serious than is realized.
The Soroka Hospital hotline number remains operational at this time
and anyone wishing to obtain information on the victims of the
attack may call 055-125-222.
In Gaza, Hamas spiritual leader and founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin
said, "What happened this morning is part of our continued
resistance to the occupation of our land." Although the terrorist
leader did not claim responsibility for the attack, he stated the
struggle against Israel will continue and reiterated Hamas' threats
to carry out additional attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets
worldwide.
Summit Continues Past Deadline
By Nick Simeone (VOA--Wye Mills, Md.)
Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to intensify their
efforts to make progress on an interim peace accord -- following
Monday's grenade attack at an Israeli bus stop. Israeli Prime
Minister benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat
remain at a secluded retreat where President Clinton and other
senior U.S. officials are trying for a fifth day to push both sides
toward an agreement.
U.S. officials say they are disappointed that the grenade attack
has complicated these talks. Still, the Israeli and Palestinian
sides issued a joint statement saying they remain determined to do
everything to fight terrorism.
State Department spokesman James Rubin told reporters the attack
has changed the mood at the summit, which has already gone beyond
the time allotted for overcoming differences blocking an agreement.
"T remains an open question as to what the results will be. I can
say that this complication certainly has an effect on those results
and on what is possible to achieve in a short period of time."
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