By Roz Rothstein
LOS ANGELES — The StandWithUs community is outraged and heartbroken by the coordinated terrorist attacks near Eilat in southern Israel on Thursday. At least seven people are reported dead and an estimated 25 injured in a three-stage terrorist attack along Israel’s border with Egypt on Thursday. Two children, a four-year-old and a six-year-old, are among the reported fatalities. As we write this, Hamas and Fatah websites are celebrating the attacks. Though an official Hamas spokesman denied direct responsibility, he also praised the assaults.
This deadly, coordinated attack underscores once again the grave security threats that Israel faces, and the pressing need for Israel to defend its citizens. Many of these victims were simply traveling to the beach resorts in Eilat for their summer holidays when the terrorists struck. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those wounded and killed.
The terrorists used gunfire, mortars, IEDs, and anti-tank missiles against Israeli civilians and soldiers at different locations. They began their coordinated
attack by opening fire on a bus traveling near Eilat. When an IDF vehicle arrived on the scene, they detonated a roadside bomb, injuring several soldiers,
and then aimed mortar shells and gunfire at Israeli soldiers and civilian vehicles, reportedly from across the border in Egypt. Within an hour, a separate cell of terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at a civilian vehicle and opened fire on another bus. Simultaneously, terrorists in Gaza fired mortar shells at soldiers doing routine maintenance on the security fence on the Israeli-Egyptian border.
attack by opening fire on a bus traveling near Eilat. When an IDF vehicle arrived on the scene, they detonated a roadside bomb, injuring several soldiers,
and then aimed mortar shells and gunfire at Israeli soldiers and civilian vehicles, reportedly from across the border in Egypt. Within an hour, a separate cell of terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at a civilian vehicle and opened fire on another bus. Simultaneously, terrorists in Gaza fired mortar shells at soldiers doing routine maintenance on the security fence on the Israeli-Egyptian border.
Initial Israeli investigations indicate the terrorist attack may have originated in Gaza, which is ruled by the terrorist group, Hamas. At this time, it is still unclear whether Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups were involved.
These attacks signal an escalation of threats to Israel. With Egypt’s government in flux, Israel’s border with Egypt has become increasingly insecure. Hamas remains committed to using terrorism to fulfill the mission stated in its charter, to murder Jews and ‘obliterate’ Israel. Given these circumstances, President Abbas’ bid to have the UN recognize a Palestinian state is especially inappropriate and unrealistic. The Palestinians must first take on the responsibilities of
statehood, such as enforcing law and order. Above all, the world should be as outraged as we are by these attacks and by the fact that Palestinian groups
celebrate when Jewish children are murdered. Palestinian leaders must commit to removing the major obstacles to peace—ongoing terrorism and incitement to hatred. The international community should denounce this despicable attack, and demand that the Palestinians sincerely commit to peace.
statehood, such as enforcing law and order. Above all, the world should be as outraged as we are by these attacks and by the fact that Palestinian groups
celebrate when Jewish children are murdered. Palestinian leaders must commit to removing the major obstacles to peace—ongoing terrorism and incitement to hatred. The international community should denounce this despicable attack, and demand that the Palestinians sincerely commit to peace.
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Rothstein is Chief Executive Officer of StandWithUs, a ten year-old, international, non-profit Israel education organization that ensures that Israel’s side of the story is told on campuses, community, libraries, schools and in the media with chapters throughout Israel, the UK and France, the United States, including San Diego, California.