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CNN Sunday Morning
Bloodshed Continues in Middle East
Aired August 04, 2002 - 09:01 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.
LARRY SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: Now the latest in today's violence in the Middle East. Once again, more violence, as more deaths in two separate incidents. Let's go now to CNN's Jerrold Kessel with the latest from Jerusalem -- Jerrold.
JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Larry, Sunday morning, early Sunday morning, the beginning of Israel's work week, just about underway and another terror attack, this time aboard a bus in Galilee, heading from Haifa on the coastal plain to the town of Safed in eastern Galilee. People heading back to work, soldiers heading back to their bases in northern Israel when the terror struck.
Probably a suicide bomber, say Israeli police. And when the blast went off, so fierce was it, including the fire that was subsequently set off in the vehicle route -- heading on route 361 in northern Israel, that rescue workers said almost all those aboard the bus were either killed or wounded. There were nine people who were killed and some 50 wounded. And the death toll could rise because two of those, you know, on the injury list are described as being in critical condition. And another 10 serious condition.
Hamas, the militant Islamic group, claiming responsibility for this attack, just as it had claimed the responsibility for the attack last Wednesday here in Jerusalem with the Hebrew University cafeteria. Hamas saying acting to avenge the killing by Israel of its military commander. And in that killing in Jerusalem, of course, even people were killed, including five Americans.
The -- as the rescue work was completed, as the casualties were taken away, as the forensic work was completed, as the final clean-up was continued, still for the special religious detail on duty to clear up and to make sure that all the body parts, all parts of the bodies were assembled for burial, the work wasn't yet over as we heard from one of those men on those special -- on that special detail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AVRAHAM GOLDBERG, ISRAELI RECOVERY WORKER: According to Jewish law, the -- we believe in life after death. And the bodies have a special -- we give very great respect to the bodies as well, all dead bodies. And according to the Jewish law, every bit of remain of body, every drop of blood has to be buried with the body, as far as possible. To get the body in an unfortunate case like that, today's case, only whole limbs will be tried to identify -- identify and put together their bodies. But all little bits and pieces, which are impossible to identify, we put them in sacks and bury them all together. But they all have to come to burial eventually.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KESSEL: But even as the implications of the bus bombing were being considered, word coming in of a shooting attack in Jerusalem, outside the World Old City, near the Damascus gate. 19-year old Palestinian shooting dead an Israeli security guard. And then as Israeli border policemen moved in, in subsequent crossfire, one Palestinian was killed, bystander was killed. 14 people wounded as the Israeli border policeman shot the young Palestinian attacker dead.
The bus bombing, the news came in just as the cabinet of Ariel Sharon was sitting down to consider what its -- measures it could take. Mr. Sharon, the prime minister, vowing that Israel will continue to fight its war on terror. Israel is continuing a major campaign in the West Bank town of Nablus to root out sources of Hamas, the Hamas organization. And also, today, Israeli forces demolished nine homes of -- all around the West Bank of Palestinian suicide bombers from previous attacks. Israel hoping that will deter future attacks -- Larry.
SMITH: OK, Jerrold Kessel in Jerusalem. Thanks so much.
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