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CNN Live At Daybreak

In Israel, Suicide Bomber Strikes, Killing Two People

Aired May 23, 2002 - 05:17   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Israel, a suicide bomber strikes, killing two people and wounding more than three dozen in a park crowded with people playing chess and backgammon. It happened in Rishon Letzion, and that is where we find our Martin Savidge -- good morning, Martin.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

From the background here, you might find it hard to believe that this is the site of Israel's latest suicide bombing attack, but that is, in fact, the case. As you point out, two people died here, dozens injured. Among the dead, a 57-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy.

The reason it looks so transformed is that work crews have worked through the night. The Israelis are quite practiced at this. The smell of fresh paint hangs heavy in the air.

We want to show you the crowd that lingers and continues to hang around this park this morning. People have come to look and see the latest sign of terror. They have also come here to express their opinions. And the opinions run all over the gamut, as people also express their emotions in ways that words cannot convey.

Flowers and messages have been left. People are saying here that they're very frightened. This struck at the very heart of this community, Rishon Letzion last night, and there are people who are saying that though they are very pleased with how Ariel Sharon has led the government here, they believe that the Palestinians should fear as Israelis are fearing these days.

There are others who are saying no, enough is enough, there has been so much killing over the past couple of weeks it is time to get serious about talking peace. And still one man we talked to said no, what you should do is go into Gaza and kill 2,000 Palestinians today and there will be silence tomorrow.

That gives you an idea of the broad range of reaction of people here in this community.

That blast went off at about 9:00 p.m. last night and you saw the results of what happened here. Many people are saying that actually had this bomb gone off inside of a building rather than the open area behind us, that the impact would have been much greater and that more people would have died. And this same community back on May 7 was struck by the suicide bomber. This time the building inside, a pool hall. Seventeen people died at that time. They've had enough here -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes, that last time Israel struck back militarily. What has been the Israeli government's reaction this time?

SAVIDGE: Well, in fact, what happened the last time was that Israel came to the brink of striking back, massing troops around Gaza, but did not, in fact, go in, many people say because of a tremendous amount of international pressure that was brought to bear.

This time, last night in the West Bank there were some military raids that took place by the Israeli military forces a couple of hours after this attack. However, it is believed that those attacks actually were planned, those raids in which a number of arrests were made, before this all happened.

Israeli radio is reporting that more than likely rather than a broad-based military incursion what you will see is more of these sort of pinpoint raids trying to round up Palestinian suspects -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And it goes on.

Thank you.

Martin Savidge reporting live for us this morning.

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