After weeks of relative quiet (solely due to our terrific IDF and not through want of trying on the part of the terrorists), two terror attacks occurred in the past 24 hours.
Last night, Roee Arbel, a 29-year old father of five was brutally murdered when the vehicle he was travelling in was sprayed with bullets. He worked a few buildings down from where I work in Herzliya Pituach.
This morning, a 21-year-old mother of two blew herself up in a security check building, killing 3 soldiers and a civilian, and injuring many others. This is the first time that Hamas has used a female suicide bomber. The attack is also a testament to the underhanded tactics used by the terrorists, as well as their disregard for the livelihood of their own people.
Brig.-Gen. Gadi Shamni, commander of the Gaza Division told a press conference Tuesday afternoon that Rayashi evaded metal detectors by claiming she had platinum insets in her legs. She was forwarded to a side office where she made a show of falling over. When soldiers rushed to her help, she blew herself up.
“Because she was a woman, a female soldier was sent for, to inspect her. The terrorist made use of the waiting period for the arrival of the woman soldier, made her way further into the complex, and exploded,” Shamni said.
Referring to the 20,000 Palestinians who pass through the crossing each day to work in Israel or in the adjacent Erez industrial complex, he said, “the bomber was trying to disrupt future cooperation.”
“We’re doing our best to facilitate Palestinians finding work in Israel As a result of this bombing, the whole crossing will be closed for several days.”
David Baker, an official at the prime minister’s office told Jerusalem Post, “the Erez crossing is intended to allow Palestinians to work in Israel and provide for their families. This attack,” he said, “is sheer proof of Palestinian terrorism’s dedication to attack not only Israelis but their own economy.”
“Palestinian terrorism is geared to prevent any progress in Israeli ñ Palestinian cooperation that might lead to improving the situation, including their own economy.”
An IDF official called the attack an attempt to underscore this symbol of Israeli ñ Palestinian coexistence. “The incident will only serve to prevent thousands of Palestinians to place bread on their table,” he said.
I hope the so-called human rights organizations remember this next time they decide to complain about Israeli restrictions on PLO Arab freedom of movement.
Update 6:10pm: PLO Arab Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia has declined to condemn the attack.
