Bus bombing marks slow but sure rise in Palestinian terrorism
Sunday’s attack differs from other recent incidents, which were typically unsophisticated and carried out by individuals.
The bomb that went off on Sunday on a bus in Bat Yam is another step, slow but sure, in the escalation of Palestinian terrorism.
Over the past four months, two Israel Defense Forces soldiers and one civilian have been murdered in the West Bank, one Israeli soldier was stabbed to death in Afula and, now, there has been an attempted bombing, which fortunately ended with only one person lightly injured, thanks to the awareness of the passengers and the driver’s quick response.
During the same period, 14 Palestinians have been killed by IDF fire, which is almost the same amount as were killed during the first eight months of 2013. Still, the Israeli intelligence services are holding staunchly to their position that this is not a popular intifada, but rather a series of local, isolated attacks, each one inspired by the last, but not an expression of a concerted effort aimed at widespread conflict with Israel.
Sunday’s attack has yet to be fully deciphered. At first glance, it is different from the other attacks of the last few months. The last few attacks were carried out by individuals, generally acting alone, or by two individuals at the most, and were unaffiliated with any organized terrorist group. The explosive device on the bus, according to eyewitnesses, was not very sophisticated. In any case, in order to carry out such an attack, at least a team of individuals is necessary, if not backing from an organized group. This attack required someone to make the bomb, someone to drive the terrorist to his destination, and another to actually plant the bomb itself. Such an operation is more complex than a stabbing on a bus.
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