Shomron news updates on March 4th bombing in Tel Aviv

News updates from the Shomron news wire. Updates start from shortly after thebombing and move up to the present. There are instructions for subcribing to the news wire at the end of the page. All times are Israel time.


4:10pm.. Dizengoff Blast

A bus has blown up in Tel-Aviv on Dizengoff and King George Streets, in the heart of Tel-Aviv. First reports speak of a car bomb.

4:16pm.. Emergency vehicles, including fire, police, and ambulances are making their way to the blast area. It appears that there are many injured. SNS will provide you with additional details as they become available.

4:21pm.. Emergency vehicles are enroute to the blast location. It appears the number of dead and injured will be very high. Dizengoff Street and King George are at the heart of Tel-Aviv, adjacent to the Dizengoff Shopping Center.

It now appears that we are not speaking of a bus but rather a car bomb that blew up on the street. Eyewitnesses are speaking of a red Fiat.

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The scene is one of total panic. This bomb has struck on the eve of the Purim Holiday which begins with sundown this evening.

Then entire Dizengoff Center looks like a battleground. Emergency vehicles are having a most difficult time accessing this, the most congested area of the country.

Members of the Burial Society are already enroute to this disaster scene. According to all eyewitnesses and security officials on the scene, we must get ready for the worst.

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Channel 2 TV Bulletin 4:28pm.. According to the reporter on the scene, there are perhaps as many as ten cars that were blown apart from the intensity of the tragic blast. Fire Department trucks are trying to access the area. Police are trying to clear the area for fear of a second explosive device. SNS will provide you with additional details as they become available.

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4:31pm.. First reports in state there are 7 persons dead at the scene.

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5:54pm Prime Minister Peres has arrived. He is under exceptionally heavy security protection. The crowd has been cleared from the area being observed by the Prime Minister. The security agents surrounding the Prime Minister can be seen with their weapons in hand, already drawn.

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Hundreds of persons can be seen standing at the bomb location. A most difficult sight. Many pedestrians are just staring in disbelief at this, the fifth serious terrorist attack in eight days.

Last Sunday, February 25th - Number 18 Bus Suicide bomb. February 25th - Ashkelon hitching post suicide bomber. February 26th - French Hill Hitching Post car attack. March 3rd - Number 18 Bus suicide bomber. March 4th - Dizengoff suicide bomber.

Total dead in these attacks to dateÖ..65 dead and dozens injured. The families are still in the Shiva, 7-day mourning period, the Shloshim, 30-day mourning period. Many families are spending their days and nights at the bedside of their loved ones, praying for their improved condition.

This attack follows this morning's terrorist attack in Hevron, in which two yeshiva students were stabbed. One is reported in moderate condition and the second is said to be light to moderate.

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Tel-Aviv Mayor - Ronny Milo: "The sight of the blast is simply horrible."

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6:07pm Ichilov Hospital Report: received 68 victims. The two (2) in very critical condition have died of their wounds. Three (3) victims are in emergency surgery, five (5) are in various intensive care units and three (3) are awaiting surgery. The remainder vary from moderate to light.

Wolfson Hospital: Nine (9) victims. HaSharon Hospital: Six (6) victims. Tel Hashomer Hospital: Six (6) Victims. Beilinson Hospital: Four (4) victims. Meir Hospital: Three (3) victims.

Emergency Numbers: Ichilov Hospital: 03-695-3608 Tel Hashomer Hospital: 03-530-2268 Beilinson Hospital: 03-937-7773

The Tel-Aviv Municipality has set up an emergency center in the Gavrieli School. The phone number of the center is 03-525-0382.

SNS will provide you with additional details as they become available.

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6:20pmÖ Channel 1 TV English News The official time for the attack is being given at 4:10pm.

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6:05pm Channel 1 TV News The terrorist apparently wanted to blow himself up inside the busy shopping center, but was deterred because of the heavy security.

An anonymous caller has phoned in to Israel Radio stating that Hamas was responsible for the attack. The name of the terrorist given was Salach Abdel Rachmim Izchak, 21, of Ramallah.

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The next Update will be provided in several hours with more detailed and finalized information regarding this tragic Dizengoff Center blast.

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Over 130 persons were treated in six different hospitals. Close to forty victims have already been sent home from the various hospitals. Thirteen persons were killed. All of the bodies were identified by the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.

A Spokesman for Hamas (who spoke in English) was seen on National TV. He called on Hamas to immediately cease all terror against Israel and to begin speaking with Israel. He did add however that Hamas should still give Israel a warning today. He also warned Israel against "committing more crimes against Hams or its people."

Demonstrations against the government continued throughout the night., The main demonstration appeared to be across the street from the Defense Ministry Office. Some 45 persons wee arrested by police last night.

In the emergency government meeting, the establishment of a new unit was agreed upon. The unit will deal specifically with suicide terrorism. At the head of the unit will be the new General Security Service Director, Ami Ayalon. (Galei Tzahal/Army Radio..3/5).

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Shut Down

Judea, Samaria and Gaza has been totally shut down. No Arabs are permitted to travel into "Israel proper". All Jewish communities sin these areas were instructed to stop employing Arab laborers.

SNS will continue supplying you with the news throughout the Purim Holiday. Later in the day we will provide a comprehensive list of the dead and an update of the condition of the wounded.

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