Meron Junction Bus 361 attack

Hamas suicide bombing in 2002

32°59′18″N 35°26′37″E / 32.98833°N 35.44361°E / 32.98833; 35.44361DateAugust 4, 2002; 21 years ago (2002-08-04)
c. 8:45 am (UTC+2)
Attack type
Suicide bombingWeaponSuicide vestDeaths6 Israeli civilians and 3 soldiers (+1 bomber)Injured38PerpetratorHamas claimed responsibilityParticipant1

On August 4, 2002, a bomber with the Palestinian militant group Hamas conducted a suicide bombing aboard an Egged bus at the Meron junction in northern Israel near Safed. In addition to the bomber, six Israeli civilians, and three Israeli soldiers were killed. Thirty-eight people were injured.[1][2]

Hamas subsequently publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming it was in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike against a Hamas commander and to express displeasure with a UN-sponsored investigation into the Israeli incursion into the Jenin refugee camp that April.[2]

Saeb Erakat condemned the attack, and Palestinian minister Nabil Shaath claimed that Palestinians were continuing to try to halt attacks on Israel, despite the Israeli actions. The bus attack occurred a week after the Hebrew University bombing, in which a Palestinian attacker affiliated with Hamas killed 9 people.[2]

On 27 August, Israeli authorities arrested 7 Arab-Israelis, all members of the same family, who allegedly assisted the bomber. According to police, the suspects helped store explosives in a nursery school, dressed the bomber as a tourist, and scouted the target.[3]

In 2019, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett signed an order enabling Israel to seize "pay-for-slay" payments from the Palestinian Authority to Arab Israelis convicted on terrorism charges. This order included two prisoners who Israeli claimed assisted the Meron Junction bomber.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Oster, Marcy (December 26, 2019). "Israel will seize 'pay for slay' salaries paid to Arab-Israeli prisoners". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Latest terror attacks kill 12". CNN. August 4, 2002. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "7 Israeli Arabs Arrested in Bus Bombing". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 2002. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Prominent terrorist attacks against Israelis in the history of the Arab–Israeli conflict – the 2000s
2001
2002
20032004200520062007
20082009
  Attacks launched from the West Bank   Attacks launched from the Gaza Strip   Attacks launched from Lebanon

‡ indicates the terrorist attack which caused the greatest amount of Israeli casualties during the 2000s

1990s 2010s
  • v
  • t
  • e
Prominent Palestinian militancy attacks in the 2000s
Within Israel
West Bank
Gaza Strip
Other countries
1 Attacks launched from Lebanon 2 Attacks launched from the West Bank 3 Attacks launched from the Gaza Strip 1990s 2010s