The Matza restaurant suicide bombing occurred on March 31, 2002, when a Palestinian Hamas suicide bomber detonated his bomb inside the Matza restaurant in Haifa, Israel, near the Grand Canyon shopping mall, killing 16 Israeli civilians including children and injuring over 40 people.[1][2]
| Matza restaurant suicide bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Second Intifada militancy campaign | |
  The attack site | |
| Native name | הפיגוע במסעדת מצה |
| Location | Haifa, Israel |
| Coordinates | 32°47′19″N 35°0′9″E / 32.78861°N 35.00250°E |
| Date | March 31, 2002 c. 3:00 pm (UTC+2) |
Attack type | Suicide bomber |
| Deaths | 16 civilians (+1 bomber) |
| Injured | 40+ civilians |
| Perpetrator | Hamas claimed responsibility |
| Assailant | Shadi Tobassi |
The perpetrators
editThe military wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the bombings would continue as long as the siege of then President of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat in Ramallah.[3] In addition, Hamas spokesman stated that the suicide bomber was a 22-year-old Palestinian named Shadi Tubasi who originated from the Jenin area.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bennet, James (2002-04-01). "MIDEAST TURMOIL: THE VIOLENCE; Bomber Strikes Jews and Arabs At Rare Refuge". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ "Israeli man succumbs to wounds sustained in 2002 Hamas suicide bombing - Haaretz - Israel News". Archived from the original on 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ Israel vows to avenge bombings, The Guardian, April 1, 2002.
- ^ "Arafat siege continues". The Guardian. London. March 31, 2002.