(30 Jul 1997) English/Nat
The militant group Islamic Jihad is reported to have claimed responsibility for the double suicide bomb attack on a Jerusalem market.
Israel's Channel 2 television, quotes Palestinian security sources as saying they believe the group carried out the bombing.
14 people - including the bombers themselves - died when two powerful blasts tore through the historic Mahane Yehuda marketplace on Wednesday.
More than 150 people were injured.
Wednesday's bombings prompted postponement of an initiative by U-S envoy Dennis Ross to try and break the impasse between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators.
He had been scheduled to depart for Israel tonight to help start the talks.
The simultaneous blasts went off about 50 yards apart in an alley in the Mahane Yehuda marketplace, the city's main fruit and vegetable market, bringing death and destruction.
Bodies lay among the wreckage, and rescue teams worked frantically to remove any survivors, while security forces cordoned off the area.
One body, blown apart was believed to be one of the suicide bombers, which was covered by nearby crates.
Israel's Defence Minister arrived at the scene as did the Minister for Internal Security.
Both appeared shocked, but had little immediate information.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Until now what we know is that we have two bombs exploded here and two men who suicided themselves in the middle of the market."
SUPER CAPTION: Avigdor Kahalani, Israeli Minister for Internal Security
The market was packed with shoppers as the device exploded.
Green awnings covering the alley were torn apart and vegetable stands and clothing displays overturned, their wares shredded and strewn about the asphalt.
Scraps of clothing hung from telephone lines.
One angry eyewitness demanded a security clamp down.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I saw the people running with horror on their face. I think, I'm a (alakhadash - word unclear) , I am a colonel of the Russian army and I say to the people of Israel there is no security. Immediately you need to restore the security in there, in our own hand, and it will be for Jews and for Arabs."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
More than 150 people were wounded in the double bombing.
A fleet of ambulances rushed them to nearby hospitals which struggled to cope with the flood of injured people.
Only hours after the devastating attack, bulldozers were already clearing away the debris as Jerusalem began rebuilding after this latest attempt to derail the peace process.
The Israeli President visited the injured in hospital and then came on to meet people at the site of the blast.
While he showed his concern for those he met, the President was in no mood to talk to reporters.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Look, I didn't come here to be interviewed, ok. I'm talking to the people. If you want to listen, listen. If you don't want to listen, goodbye."
SUPER CAPTION: Ezer Weizman, Israeli President
Once again the faltering Middle East peace process is again at risk - only days after the announcement of the resumption of Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. .
The bomb attack has effectively halted any progress for the time being, with the return visit of Special Envoy Dennis Ross now on hold indefinitely.
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