2001 Azor attack
| 2001 Azor attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of The Second Intifada | |
 The attack aftermath | |
| Location | 32°01′16″N 34°48′21″E / 32.02111°N 34.80583°E Azor junction, Israel |
| Date | 14 February 2001 |
Attack type | Vehicle-ramming attack |
| Deaths | 8 (7 soldiers, 1 civilian) |
| Injured | 26 |
| Perpetrator | Hamas claimed responsibility |
| Assailant | Khalil Abu-Alba |
On 14 February 2001, a vehicular attack took place near Azor, Israel. A Palestinian man from Gaza drove a bus into a group of Israeli soldiers who stood at a bus stop at Azor junction, killing eight people—seven soldiers and one civilian, and injuring 26 further.[1] The Islamist militant organization Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.[2]
Attack
The attacker, 35-year old Khalil Abu Alba from Gaza, was a bus driver who used to drive Arab workers in the morning from his city toward Tel Aviv. He had been an Egged bus driver for five years before the attack.[3]
On 14 February, after dropping off as usual the Arab workers at Lod and Ramle, he drove toward Holon. When arriving Azor junction, he noticed a group of Israeli soldiers waiting at a bus stop. The attacker accelerated the bus, and sharply swerved to the right, hitting dozens of people. He killed eight people, seven soldiers and one civilian, and injured 26.[4]
After the attack he drove the bus quickly southwards towards Gaza. The bus was stopped only after crashing into a truck 30km away after police officers had shot at its wheels.[2]
Victims
Among the victims who were killed were:[5]
- Simcha Shitrit, 30, of Rishon Lezion, Israel
- Sergeant Julie (Sarah) Weiner, aged 21, from Jerusalem, Israel, originally from France[6]
- Sergeant Ofir Magidish, 20, of Kiryat Malachi, Israel
- Corporal Alexander Manevitz, 18, of Ashkelon, Israel
- Sergeant David Iloz, 21, of Kiryat Malachi, Israel
- Corporal Yasmin Karisi, 18, of Ashkelon, Israel
- Sergeant Kochava Polonsky, 19, of Ashkelon, Israel
- Sergeant Racheli Levy, 19, of Ashkelon, Israel
21 people were injured in the attack.
Memorial
A memorial plaque in the place of the attack reads: "This monument commemorates those who perished in the stampede attack, in which 8 people were run over to death and 21 were injured. The attack happened at the Tempo intersection near Azor.[7]
"For as often as I speak of him, I do earnestly remember him still"
The monument was created by Israeli sculptor Miri Passov.[8]
References
- ↑ "Bereaved families: State dancing in our blood". Ynetnews. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- 1 2 "ערפאת: "זו היתה תאונת דרכים"". ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ↑ "8 מאסרי עולם ו-21 שנות מאסר למבצע פיגוע באזור". ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ↑ "משפחתו של הנהג הדורס: הוא היה תחת השפעת תרופות - וואלה! חדשות". וואלה! (in Hebrew). 3 March 2001. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ↑ "Victims of Palestinian Violence and Terrorism since September 2000". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- ↑ naamae (29 April 2022). "Yom Hazikaron Ceremony | The Jewish Agency – U.S." The Jewish Agency for Israel. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- ↑ "Azor - a memorial to those who died in the bus attack in Azor | Monuments and History | Street Signs & Sites". www.streetsigns.co.il. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
- ↑ "Miri Passov | Sign-O-Pedia | Street Signs & Sites". www.streetsigns.co.il. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
External links
- Terrorist incidents in Israel in 2001
- Terrorist incidents involving vehicular attacks in Asia
- 2001 murders in Israel
- February 2001 in Asia
- February 2001 crimes in Asia
- Hamas attacks
- Vehicle-ramming attacks in Israel
- 2000s vehicle-ramming attacks
- 2001 road incidents
- 2000s road incidents in Asia
- Israeli casualties in the Second Intifada
- February 2001 in Israel