The Israel Project

Attack in Southern Israel

#IsraelAttack

The Israel Project extends our deepest condolences to the victims, their families and loved ones affected by today’s deadly attacks in southern Israel.

We will continue to update this page as more information
and resources become available.

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Benjamin Netanyahu: Firstly, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the civilians murdered, and to those of the soldiers who fell while responding to today's terrorist attacks.

I share their pain. I know that their lives will never be the same. I also want to express my hopes for a speedy recovery to those injured in these attacks and are currently undergoing treatment in hospital.

We all witnessed today an attempt to escalate the terrorist war against Israel by launching of attacks from the Sinai. If there is someone who thinks that the State of Israel will let this pass, he is mistaken.

I have set out a principle - when the citizens of Israel are attacked, we respond immediately and with strength. That principle was implemented today. Those who gave the order to murder our citizens, while hiding in Gaza, are no longer among the living.

I commend the IDF and the security services who eliminated today in Gaza the senior figures of the organization which carried out the terror attacks in the south. I commend the soldiers, police, and members of the security services who acted swiftly, determinately and bravely against the terrorists, and who thereby prevented an even greater tragedy.

If the terrorist organizations believe that they can attack our citizens and get away with it, they will soon learn how wrong they are. We will exact a price, a very heavy price.

"This is a severe event during which Israelis were hurt and which Israeli sovereignty was attacked.  Israel will respond appropriately."

Shimon Peres: This is a chain of serious terrorist incidents indicative of terrorist organizations' attempts to kill innocent civilians in Israel and try to disrupt the routine of our lives...I wish to express my condolences on behalf of all citizens of Israel and families of the victims and wish the wounded a speedy recovery.
Read Full Statement in Hebrew (PDF)

Ehud Barak, Israel's Defense Minister, said: "The incident shows the weakening Egyptian grip on Sinai and the widening operation of terrorists there. The source of these terror acts is in Gaza and we will act against them with full force."

“The IDF will continue to operate with full strength to defend the continuation of normal life.”

IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai (Israel Radio): "The IDF exchanged fire with terrorists near the Egyptian border, a few were injured." He added "a few of our forces and civilians were injured."

Civilian from Eilat (no name given), on the atmosphere in Eilat (Israel's Channel 2 News): "The mood is low here, but pretty normal. Even though the attacks happened almost four minutes from here, people are carrying on."

Civilian who was aboard attacked bus: "It was such a shock… The bus was totally full, there were no extra seats and I know a few people were injured badly."

Resident from Israel's northern border, near Qiryat Shmona (Israel's Channel 2 News): "Terrorists will take advantage of any opportunity they can to attack. We cannot be fooled; Hamas and other terrorist organizations will not rest."

Woman whose car was hit by a missile, had two children with her: "My kids are okay, but I'm all confused. We heard 5 'booms' and I panicked…I am so thankful that my children are ok."

Benny Bilbenski, driver of the bus that was struck; Bilbenski said he saw the attackers: "They were dressed as Egyptian officers, I thought. I saw them by the [Israeli-Egyptian border] fence…I looked at them, and I drove. It's what I do every day, twice a day."

"Chani," mother of soldier injured in attack, speaking from Soroka Hospital: "He barely remembers anything.  The doctors say, thank God, that he was hit and the bullet exited his body - just bypassing his heart.  He was half-asleep on the way to Eilat, and they were attacked.  He heard the shots and barely remembers anything else."

Aharon Gonen, man whose car was hit by anti-tank missile, "was heading towards Eilat, and had just passed the checkpoint right ahead of Eilat, and I saw some commotion. I saw a man in an Egyptian uniform on the ground, I wondered if he was praying. Then I turned to my wife and we felt we were under attack. I saw my family was ok. But (then) I saw the bus and I knew. It's my luck. I feel so lucky."

STATEMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SPOKESPERSON
FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Attacks in Southern Israel

The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s coordinated terror attacks in southern Israel. He expresses his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and brought to justice. He is concerned at the risk of escalation and calls for all to act with restraint.

New York, 18 August 2011.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: The United States condemns today’s attacks in southern Israel and all acts of terrorism in the strongest terms. These brutal and cowardly attacks appear to be premeditated acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. Our deepest condolences go out to the victims, their families and loved ones. [more]

White House Press Secretary: Statement by the Press Secretary on Attacks in Southern Israel
We condemn the brutal terrorist attacks in southern Israel today in the strongest terms. Our deepest condolences go to the victims, their families and loved ones, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. The U.S. and Israel stand united against terror and we hope that those behind this attack will be brought to justice swiftly.

U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: Today’s coordinated attacks against Israeli civilians and members of the Israeli Defense Forces further illustrate the continued targeting of Israel by enemies of freedom and peace. The attacks reinforce concerns about the ability and willingness of the Egyptian government to safeguard its borders against the passage of militants and weapons. [more]

Congressman Rothman's Statement on the Terrorist Attacks in Southern Israel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2011

My condolences go out to the families and friends of the Israelis who were murdered in Southern Israel today and to all of the people of Jewish State of Israel. I strongly condemn these horrific terrorist attacks and call on the Palestinian Authority and the Egyptian government to immediately denounce this brutal violence. Those who committed these horrendous acts must be swiftly brought to justice and dealt with severely. [more]

Foreign Office Minister condemns Israel attacks
18 August 2011

Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt has condemned attacks in Southern Israel on 18 August.
On hearing the news the Foreign Office Minister said:

“I condemn these appalling and senseless acts of violence. As efforts for peace in the region continue, this brutality has no place, nor its perpetrators any excuse. My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and I offer sincere condolences to their families and friends.” 

Terrorists Kill Eight Israelis, Wound Scores in Wave of Attacks

• Terrorists hit buses and cars
• Hamas praises attack in which civilians died
• Israeli government vows to respond, kills top terrorist

Jerusalem, Aug. 18 – Terrorists, thought to have come from the Gaza Strip, killed at least eight Israelis and wounded as many as 40 others on Thursday in multiple coordinated attacks on public buses and private cars just north of the Red Sea tourist town of Eilat.

“The attacks included heavy fire on a bus followed by heavy fire on two private vehicles and an additional bus,” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Eytan Buchman said. Of the eight dead, six were civilians – four from the same family – and two were soldiers.

Buchman said a roadside bomb also was detonated against IDF troops and mortar shells were fired at soldiers doing routine maintenance work on the security fence between Israel and Gaza. Terrorists in Gaza also fired three missiles. They also launched two rockets at the Israeli city of Ashkelon; one was intercepted by Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense shield. The other one hit Ashkelon but there were no injuries.

After running battles, Israeli special forces killed seven of the terrorists responsible for the attacks. [more]

Terror Attacks in Southern Israel Raise Questions
about Egypt (Analysis)
By Alan Elsner

New York, Aug. 18 – The coordinated attacks in southern Israel today that killed and injured scores of people including children raises crucial questions about whether Egypt can be trusted to maintain security across the border and counter a deadly Islamist terrorist threat to Israel.

The terrorists who attacked two buses and engaged in running gun battles with Israeli forces are believed to have infiltrated from Sinai. It seems likely they originated from the Gaza Strip which is run by Iran-backed Hamas and now has a porous border with Egypt, with terrorists freely crossing in either direction.

These were the first such attacks in years and the first since former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown earlier this year.

Israel has been at peace with Egypt since 1979 but Cairo's new rulers seem much less committed to maintaining security in the Sinai. It is no longer clear whether the Egyptian authorities have the ability or the will to combat Islamic terrorist groups bent on attacking Israel.  [more]

TIP Press Releases and Updates

• TIP Special Bulletin: Terror Rampage in Southern Israel, Aug. 18, 2011
• The Hamas - Al Qaeda connection, TIP Backgrounder 
• Hamas Condemns Bin Laden Killing, Calls Him a Holy Warrior,
  TIP Press Release, May 2

From the IDF:

• IDF's Official Photo Stream (Flickr)
• Terrorists commit series of attacks in southern Israel
  IDF Spokesperson: This was a grave and complex event in which civilians and soldiers were hurt
• Chief of Staff: IDF will respond strongly to terror attacks
  Defense Minister says Israel is in an ongoing struggle against terrorism
• Defense Minister: Gaza is the source of terrorism
  Ehud Barak says Israel will act with "full force and determination" against terrorism
  

External Articles

Additional shooting attack north of Eilat, one injured
By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST.COM STAFF
08/18/2011 19:08 

Timeline of the Eilat triple terror attack 
By YAAKOV KATZ
08/18/2011 18:07

US calls Eilat attack a 'brutal, cowardly act of terror'
By JPOST.COM STAFF
08/18/2011 16:45

Israel had prior warnings of potential terror attacks from Sinai
By Barak Ravid and Haaretz

Seven killed in series of terrorist attacks in southern Israel
By Anshel Pfeffer, Revital Levy-Stein, Yanir Yagna and Haaretz

Deadly attacks hit Israeli vehicles near Egypt
18 August 2011

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Timeline of Events (Israel Time)
*Updated as of August 19th, 1:00am Israel Time

Summary of southern Israel terrorist attacks:

• Approximately 33 injured, eight killed
• Two buses (one packed, the other empty) and several cars hit
• IEDs and anti-tank missiles used in attacks

Timeline:

• 12.04 p.m.: About a dozen people, including a 4-year-old and 6-year-old, were injured when three terrorists in a private vehicle fired at a packed public bus. Egged Bus No. 392 was on its way from Be’er Sheva to Eilat. The attack occurred near the Netafim junction on Highway 12, about 12 miles (30km) north of Eilat. Preliminary reports indicated 10-12 people were injured.
• 12.30 p.m.: Multiple roadside bombs (IEDs planted along the route the IDF used after the bus attack) hit an army tank.  In an ensuing exchange of fire between the IDF and terrorists, two to four terrorists were killed and IDF soldiers were injured. Mortars were also reportedly fired from the Egyptian border.
• 1:10 p.m.: A terrorist cell fired an RPG anti-tank missile at a private car and an empty bus, wounding seven. Minutes later, another cell fired an anti-tank missile at a private vehicle, killing four to six.

It was unclear whether the attacks on the private cars occurred at the same time.

In conclusion:

• IDF killed seven terrorists (out of about 20) after extensive manhunt (ongoing)
• Eight Israelis killed in multiple attacks.
• One of the injured is undergoing surgery (as of 5:20 pm Israel time). Three others also are expected to undergo surgery at Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva.

The Israel Project is working to get out the facts globally about the school bus attack and the need for help. You can contribue to TIP's efforts HERE.

Yoram Meital
Affiliations: Chairman of Herzog Center for Middle East Studies
Fields: Middle East politics, Israel-Egypt relations, Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Tel: 08-647-2539
Cell: 052-879-5831
E-mail: ymeital@bgu.ac.il

Deputy Spokesperson of Soroka in Beersheva
Sharon 050 626 4263