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CNN Live Today

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem Kills 3, Self

Aired March 21, 2002 - 14:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: First up this half-hour, we want to go back to the Middle East now, and that suicide bombing in downtown Jerusalem. Believed to be, again, the work of a military wing of the Fatah organization, just yesterday labeled a terrorist group by the Bush administration.

Our coverage now back to Michael Holmes in Jerusalem, watching this. Michael, has the death count climbed even more now?

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's what we're told, Bill. That's right. And another person, one of the injured in fact, has apparently, we're told, succumbed to his injuries. He has died in hospital. That brings the death toll now to three killed, plus the suicide bomber. Four dead in all. And anywhere between 50 and 60 seriously wounded by this suicide bomber, who went in to a very popular part of central west Jerusalem and detonated his explosives.

This is an area that I spent time in just the other day preparing a report on another story. It's been the scene of several suicide bombings -- many of them, in fact. It's an area of restaurants, shops. It's very close to the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) pedestrian, or what was once a very popular place. Now it's virtually deserted.

It's the third suicide bombing since General Anthony Zinni arrived here. There have been shootings as well. Now, responsibility for previous incidents have been claimed by groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas. These are groups that are openly opposed to any sort of peace deal with Israel, any sort of peace or cease-fire talks with Israel.

However, as you said, the al-Aqsa brigades has claimed responsibility for this attack. The al-Aqsa brigades is an offshoot of the Fatah movement, which is linking itself to Yasser Arafat. There is no direct link, if you like, or control, claimed by Yasser Arafat over al-Aqsa. But there is certainly a link through to the Fatah movement.

The Bush administration, as you said, is adding the al-Aqsa brigades to its list of foreign terrorist organizations. Until now, cease-fire talks have continued through the violence. That's not the case tonight, I can tell you. A planned meeting, another meeting, between senior Israeli and Palestinian security officials that was meant to take place right about now, has been postponed. The people were careful not to use the word "canceled," but postponed, which is perhaps a sign that cease-fire talks may well pick up again tomorrow. But where there has been hope in the last few days, there is, once again, Bill, uncertainty here tonight.

HEMMER: All right, Michael. Michael Holmes, reporting there in Jerusalem. As we have mentioned, another deadly and bloody day there. Michael, thanks.

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