Israel Insider (www.israelinsider.com) reports that a Palestinian homicide/suicide bomber set off a pipe bomb in the Israeli city of Herzliya, killing a 15-year-old girl and wounding 10 other unarmed civilians.

Hadar Hershkowitz, 15, killed by a Palestinian terrorist

The attack occurred at about 7:45 p.m., when the terrorist entered the popular restaurant near the city's Lev Ha'ir shopping mall. "This was the most crowded, well-known area of Herzliya," said Mayor Yael German. "Apparently the terrorist knew this... All of the residents of Herzliya eat here. This is where we eat our falafel and shwarma," she said.

"I saw a man with an Arab appearance go up to one of the waiters," said Tomer Avelgon, 24, who was injured in the explosion. "He asked for a glass of water, and afterwards blew himself up in the middle of a group of people. The electricity went out, and things were flying in the air. Next to me there was a girl, badly injured. I used my shirt to try to stop her bleeding until an ambulance arrived.

Hadar Hershkowitz, 15, did not survive the attack and later died of her injuries. She was the daughter of Aryeh Hershkowitz, director-general of the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer club. Club coach Moshe Sinai described Hadar as a diligent, talented and bright young girl. May God bless her memory.

I copy the full article below.

Fifteen-year-old girl killed in Herzliya bombing attack
By Ellis Shuman June 12, 2002
http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ArticlePage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El1119&enZone=Security&enVersion=0&

Hadar Hershkowitz, 15, of Herzliya was killed, and 10 others were wounded Tuesday night when a Palestinian suicide bomber set off a relatively small pipe bomb at the Jamil shwarma restaurant on Sokolov Street in the center of Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv.

The attack occurred at about 7:45 p.m., when the terrorist entered the popular restaurant near the city's Lev Ha'ir shopping mall. "This was the most crowded, well-known area of Herzliya," said Mayor Yael German. "Apparently the terrorist knew this... All of the residents of Herzliya eat here. This is where we eat our falafel and shwarma," she said.

"I saw a man with an Arab appearance go up to one of the waiters," said Tomer Avelgon, 24, who was injured in the explosion. "He asked for a glass of water, and afterwards blew himself up in the middle of a group of people. The electricity went out, and things were flying in the air. Next to me there was a girl, badly injured. I used my shirt to try to stop her bleeding until an ambulance arrived."

Tel Aviv Police Commander Yossi Sedbon said that while there had been no specific warnings about an impending attack in Herzliya, there were general warnings all the time.

According to media reports, the bomb included nails, screws and additional metal objects to increase the number of injuries. Though the blast occurred inside a closed area, not all of the restaurant's glass windows were shattered.

Sedbon noted that the bomb appeared to be very small, or did not fully explode. Initial television reports indicated that the bomber had survived the blast, but later reports said that he was killed.

"I was standing close to the scene of the attack and I saw what was left of the body of the terrorist covered with a bag," said eyewitness Joel Leyden.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the bombing, saying that it was counter-productive to the Palestinian cause. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon heard about the attack as he was meeting with members of the House International Relations Committee in Washington. "This is what we live with every day," Sharon said, according to Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY).

Last year a pipe bomb exploded in Herzliya's Giraffe restaurant, but there were no injuries. Recent attacks have occurred in nearby cities - Netanya, Kfar Saba and Petach Tikva. "I am sure that after this attack there will be a wave of people volunteering for Civil Guard duty to help the police, because this is what we have to do. We all have to keep our eyes open and be on the alert," Mayor German said.

Hapoel Tel Aviv team shocked by Hadar's death

Hadar was the daughter of Aryeh Hershkowitz, director-general of the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer club. Club coach Moshe Sinai described Hadar as a diligent, talented and bright young girl. Team members gathered at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, where Hadar died of her injuries.

"Yesterday I was talking with Aryeh and we decided to meet later," Sinai said. "When I heard about the terrorist attack, I called Aryeh, and he said that he had been trying since 7:15 to reach Hadar, and she wasn't answering."

Sinai said he knew Hadar since she was a young child. "Terrorist attacks happen, and you hear about them, get angry, and then it passes," he said. "But this time, the attack reached us. It is hard to take this in. Hadar was a wonderful girl."

Members of the Hapoel Tel Aviv club were partying at the city's Seafood Market restaurant on March 5 when a Palestinian gunman opened fire, killing three Israelis and wounding 31 others.

Posted by David Melle
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