Military

DATE=11/21/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL BOMBING SCENE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-296709

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Eleven Israelis were killed in Jerusalem by a suicide bomber on a crowded bus. Most of the victims appear to be teenagers, who were on their way to school. Ross Dunn went to the scene and filed this report.

TEXT: A man who lives near the site of the attack was awakened by the explosion that shook the windows of his apartment. Shimon Ben Yair was among the first to witness the terrifying aftermath of the latest Palestinian suicide bus bombing.

/// BEN-YAIR ACT BEGINS//

There was a bomb, something like 7:00 in the morning, a big one, and we came to the window and we saw this bus with dying people around it, on the floor, on the streets. They were thrown out of the bus by the explosion. There was smoke, fire. People were screaming (all) around. It was like hell.

/// END ACT ///

Israeli Police spokesman Gil Kleiman says the bomber came from the West Bank and traveled some distance on the bus before triggering the blast, during the morning rush hour.

/// OPT // KLEIMAN ACT BEGINS ///

What we know is that about 7:15 in the morning, in a crowded bus, people on the way to work, people on the way to school, a suicide bomber, a 22-year-old male Palestinian from Bethlehem, gets on a bus on a number of stops beforehand. As the bus was traveling, he works his way to the middle of the bus. As the bus pulls over, he blows himself up.

/// END ACT // END OPT ///

The Deputy Director of Jerusalem's Share Zedek Hospital Dr. Ovadia Shemesh, says the bomb was filled with nails and scrap metal in order to inflict maximum harm.

/// SHEMESH ACT BEGINS ///

Most of them are suffering from a piece of metal that has intruded into their bodies. Usually, the people who make the suicide, they fill the bomb with parts of small metal items.

/// ACT ENDS ///

The doctor says most of the injured are high school students, aged 13 to 17. Some may never fully recover from their injuries.

Meanwhile, back at the site of the attack, impromptu vigils were held for the dead, as some bystanders lit candles and others prayed silently.

These scenes contrasted with the matter-of-fact approach adopted by the rescue workers.

/// OPT /// Within just two-hours of the attack, police had hauled away the burned-out wreckage of the bus, and cleaned the streets, which had smelled of blood.

Religious emergency workers collected body parts, some of which had been strewn across the roofs of bus shelters, and up into trees. The human remains were gathered into black plastic bags and sent for burial according to Jewish custom. /// END OPT ///

Traffic soon began flowing again on the street, which had been struck by terror just a few hours earlier. It was a sign that Israelis want to resume a normal life as quickly as possible after such attacks.

But a social worker with the Jerusalem City Council, Pini Gleinkewitz, says the toughest job lies ahead helping people rebuild their shattered lives after another tragedy.

/// GLEINKEWITZ ///

Our work does not stop now. They clean the streets. But our work, the youth work, the social work, we have to keep on. We try to make them (the victims) talk. We give them the time and the space. We let them cry. And it is good that they will cry.

/// END ACT ///

It was clear that many at the site needed counseling. Some wailed, not knowing if they had lost loved ones in the attack.

/// REST OPT ///

And after the police began leaving the area, a small group of Israeli demonstrators began calling for retaliation against the Palestinians.

Another group of Israelis gathered inside a ruined bus shelter, blown apart by the explosion, and began a fierce debate about the best way to tackle terrorism.

/// CROWD ACT ///

Here in a small space, one could see a nation divided, even during a time of tragedy.

Some in the bus shelter shouted that an even tougher military response is needed. Others responded by singing slogans in support of peace. (SIGNED)

NEB/RD/AWP/RAE