Israel Matzav

Terror attack at Merkaz HaRav

At least two terrorists wearing explosive belts entered Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav Kook in Kiryat Moshe this evening firing in all directions. According to Haaretz, at least seven people have been killed and seven wounded. The Jerusalem Post says four killed and that there were three terrorists. Israel Radio is reporting eight dead and fifteen wounded. But Arutz Sheva probably has the best written coverage:

Two Arab terrorists infiltrated Jerusalem's Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva at around 8:30 Thursday night and murdered eight Jews. At least six people have been wounded; three are in critical condition and a fourth victim was wounded moderately.

The attackers entered from two separate entrances to the yeshiva and opened fire on the students before one of them was gunned down himself. Witnesses say that the attack began in the seminary's library.

The second terrorist hid in the yeshiva building, with subsequent reports indicating that the attacker was killed by responding security forces. Police are deployed in the surrounding neighborhood and scoured the yeshiva and connected buildings. Most students in the building were evacuated after taking cover in the yeshiva's bomb shelter, according to police spokesmen.

50 ambulances responded to the scene, which emergency responders have called "a major incident." The injured were evacuated to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital.

Police forces are on heightened alert throughout the country.

The Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva is located near the entrance to Jerusalem, in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood. The yeshiva, founded by Rabbi Avaraham Yitzhak Kook, is at the heart of the national-religious movement in Israel.

I have just gotten a phone call from Israel to tell me that my wife's nephew who studies in that Yeshiva is - thank God - okay.

Just after 9:00 Israel Radio reported one or two terrorists, one of whom was killed and had a suicide belt on when he was killed. No word on the second terrorist.

A later report from Arutz Sheva lowers the number of wounded to six.

MDA paramedics said Thursday night that six students were wounded in a shooting attack in the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. According to initial reports dozens were wounded. Paramedics explained that many students who initially appeared to be wounded did not require medical care.

At least two of the wounded are in serious condition, and two were moderately wounded. One student who was originally thought to be in serious condition was later found to be suffering from light wounds.

There is a 16-year old who suffered a chest wound, which leads me to believe the attack may have taken place in the high school. My wife has a nephew there as well.

At 10:00 (less than twenty minutes ago), Israel Radio reported eight killed and six wounded - the same as Arutz Sheva reported. The entrance to Jerusalem is closed and the police are hunting for a second terrorist. But as of now, only one terrorist has been found and he did not have a suicide belt.

They have an interview with one of the Yeshiva students, Yitzchak Nadon. They heard were in the Beit Medrash (study hall) and heard shooting from the library. The student went on the roof and pulled his revolver. This student claims that he shot the terrorist in the head twice and then someone else with an M-16 rifle finished him off.

Students were taken to Hadassah Ein Karem and Shaarei Tzedek. Shaarei Tzedek is closer to the Yeshiva but Hadassah has departments that Shaarei Tzedek doesn't have. Police blocking streets throughout the area.

Eight Israeli boys were murdered tonight.

UPDATE 10:32 PM ISRAEL TIME

My wife's nephew in the high school that is part of Merkaz HaRav is also - thank God - okay. Unfortunately, a lot of other boys are not.

My 16-year old daughter reports that Olmert has been sitting and chatting with foreign minister Tzipi Livni since hearing of the attack. I am reminded of the verse at the end of the third chapter of Megillat Esther which will be read two weeks from tonight - "The King and Haman sat to drink and the City of Shushan wallowed in sorrow." But I can't decide which of them is the King and which is Haman.

UPDATE 11:06 PM ISRAEL TIME

Arutz Sheva is reporting that three more wounded have been evacuated to the hospital. They also report that one of the eight dead was the terrorist. That means that only seven people died in the attack, but there are several more who are seriously wounded.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:48 PM