The Israeli government has blamed the Palestinian self-rule authority led by President Yasser Arafat for encouraging terrorism and has threatened to stage raids on suspected Palestinian extremists in Palestinian authority-controlled areas.
The Israeli accusations follow two co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks in Mehane Yehuda market in central West Jerusalem on 30 July that killed 15 people (including the bombers) and injured more than 150. The extremist Palestinian group Hamas, which has staged nine previous large-scale suicide bombings, appears to have claimed responsibility for the attacks, but there are doubts over the claim's authenticity. These doubts could reflect divisions within the group.
Security implications
The Israeli government's reaction to the bombings highlights the limited options available to it to combat such attacks. The government reacted by closing the borders with the West Bank and Gaza Strip and suspending peace talks. These are standard reactions to such attacks, but there is little else that Israel can do. Previous clampdowns against Hamas and increased security in Israel have temporarily reduced the risk of attacks. However, economic hardship in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip continues to attract recruits to Hamas, which, in addition to its extremist activities, provides a wide range of welfare services. Palestinian security forces have also staged clampdowns against Hamas, occasionally in conjunction with Israeli forces. These clampdowns have been most successful when the two sides have co-operated, as in the aftermath of four suicide bombings in early 1996.
The 30 July bombings mark a new ruthlessness in Hamas' violent campaign. This is the first multiple suicide bomb attack staged by the group, and it was designed to cause maximum civilian casualties. In addition, the attack did not target buses or bus stations, which in the past have been preferred Hamas targets, apparently indicating a new willingness to stage large-scale indiscriminate attacks in crowded public places.
This new ruthlessness is probably the result of the re-emergence of a more militant leadership. Divisions exist within the group between militant and more pragmatic factions. One of the more militant leaders, Abd al-Aziz al-Rantissi, was released from an Israeli prison in May and reclaimed the leadership of the group. He threatened to continue Hamas' violent campaign. The Jerusalem attacks indicate that Rantissi has been successful in his leadership bid. Hamas will attempt to stage further attacks in crowded public places in major towns and cities. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are prime targets, but other towns are also vulnerable.
Travel implications
Further indiscriminate bombings in public places are expected following the West Jerusalem market attacks. Foreign residents and visitors should be extra vigilant and should minimise the amount of time spent in crowded public places. However, there is no need to postpone plans to travel to Jerusalem. The bombings will prompt a marked increase in levels of security in all cities and towns. This security will deter further attacks for a short time, but the threat will persist.
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