2004 Ashdod Port bombings

The 2004 Ashdod Port bombings were two suicide bombings carried out nearly simultaneously on March 14, 2004 at the Port of Ashdod in Ashdod, Israel. 10 people were killed in the attack, and 16 were injured. Hamas and Fatah claimed joint responsibility for the attack.

2004 Ashdod Port bombings
Part of the Second Intifada militancy campaign
Port of Ashdod in 2006

The attack site
LocationPort of Ashdod in Ashdod, Israel
DateMarch 14, 2004
16:20 pm
Attack type
suicide bombing
Deaths10 (+ 2 suicide bombers)
Injured16
PerpetratorsTwo Palestinian assailants. Both Hamas and Fatah claimed responsibility

The attack
Memorial to the victims

On Sunday, March 14, 2004, two Palestinian suicide bombers who wore explosive belts hidden underneath their clothes approached the Port of Ashdod. Despite the vast security arrangements at the compound, the two suicide bombers managed to infiltrate into the compound.

At 16:20 pm the suicide bombers detonated their explosive devices - one exploded himself in an office building inside the compound, and the other exploded after a few moments at the entrance to the compound. The force of the blast killed ten civilians, most of them were port workers, and injured 16 others.

Fatalities

The perpetrators and Israeli response

Hamas and Fatah claimed joint responsibility for the attack and stated that the attack was carried out by two 18-year-olds from the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.[2] The two assailants managed to infiltrate Israel from Gaza by hiding in a container that went through the Karni Crossing.[3] A Hamas leader in Gaza stated that the original plan was that the suicide bombers would blow up fuel tanks at the port; Israel said the bombers intended to carry out a "mega attack" with hundreds of casualties, but instead blew themselves up hundreds of meters from the tanks.[3] Later on it was revealed that the attack was financed and directed by Nizar Rayan.[4] In response, Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin was killed along with his bodyguards in a strike by Israeli helicopters in Gaza City.[5]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2013-11-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Suicide Bombing at Ashdod Port". Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  3. "Port Blast". Maritime Workers Journal. 2004. Archived from the original on 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
  4. Katz, Yaakov (2009-01-01). "Nizar Rayyan considered successor of Ahmed Yassin". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  5. "Israeli missile strike kills Hamas founder". Chicago Tribune. March 22, 2004.

See also
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