2001 Immanuel bus attack

The attack

On 12 December 2001, three armed Palestinians militants planted a roadside bomb beside the road leading to the Israeli settlement of Immanuel south of Nablus. After placing two roadside bombs, the assailants ambushed a bus on its way from Bnei Brak.

Soon after, a non-armoured Dan bus line 189, en route to Immanuel from Bnei Brak, approached the site as two roadside bombs exploded. The bus, which was greatly damaged in the explosions, continued to drive several hundred meters until it was immobilized. Immediately after the bus was immobilized, one of the militants approached the bus, threw hand grenades into the bus, and fired small arms on the passengers of the bus and at the vehicles arriving at the site, while the passengers attempted to flee the bus. The passengers of three other vehicles traveling on this road at that time were also affected.

Shortly after, the three attackers fired on cars near the settlement and rescue workers trying to help the victims. One gunman was run over by an army jeep and then shot dead, but the others escaped. Palestinian officials identified the dead man as 21-year-old Asem Rihan, a Hamas member and student at Al Najah University in Nablus.

11 people were killed in the attack and about 30 were injured.

Official reactions

;Involved parties Israel:

• Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner said, "We hold the Palestinian authorities responsible for the activities of these terrorist group who operate in full daylight and in the full knowledge of the Palestinian Authority and continue their deadly attacks against civilian men, women and children".

Palestinian territories:

• The Palestinian Authority condemned the attack.

References

References

1. (28 January 2015). "Chronologies of Modern Terrorism". [[Routledge]].
2. "عملية 'عمانوئيل' الأولى".
3. (12 December 2001). "Bus ambush brings carnage back to Israel". [[Independent Online]].
4. (31 December 2001). "Chronological Review of Events Relating to the Question of Palestine - Monthly media monitoring review: December 2001". [[United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine]].
5. (12 December 2001). "Ten killed in West Bank ambush on Israeli bus". [[The Irish Times]].
6. (12 December 2001). "Terrorist attack on bus at Emmanuel - 12-Dec-2001". [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel).
7. (1 January 2002). "Palestinians ambush bus – seven dead". [[Mail & Guardian]].
8. Sharagai, Nadav. (13 December 2001). ""מצב פצועים: הבוקר מאושפזים 27 פצועים, 3 קשה, 5 בינוני - וואלה! חדשות". וואלה! חדשות". [[Walla! Communications Ltd.
9. (12 December 2001). "Ten dead, 30 wounded as Palestinians open fire on bus". [[CNN]].
10. Bennet, James. (13 December 2001). "Palestinian Assault on Bus Kills 10; Israeli Response Is Swift". [[The New York Times]].
11. (13 December 2001). "Several dead in shooting on Israeli bus". [[New Straits Times]].
12. Perry, Dan. (13 December 2001). "Israel retaliates after Hamas attacks bus". [[Bangor Daily News]].