Ultra-Orthodox volunteers were picking through the debris of fruit and vegetables on Monday as they tried to retrieve body parts of the victims of a suicide bombing in a cramped Tel Aviv marketplace.
Three people were killed and more than 30 were wounded when the 18-year-old bomber blew himself up in the popular Hacarmel marketplace, generating scenes of blind panic in the narrow alleyways.
Rescue workers said that while the size of the blast was relatively small, victims had nowhere to hide when the explosion went off in the late morning.
“We have many hours of work ahead of us,” said Zelig Feiner, a spokesperson for the Zaka organisation, whose volunteers rush to the scene of blasts to recover bodies so they can be buried in full accordance with the Jewish tradition.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, currently in hospital outside Paris, on Monday condemned the deadly suicide bombing, his top aide, Nabil Abu Rudeina, said.
Abu Rudeina said the frail Arafat, in France for treatment of what is believed to be a mystery blood ailment, had asked him to condemn the attack on his behalf.
“He noted that he has always been against attacks targeting civilians, whatever their nationality or religion,” the aide said.
Body parts in fruit
In Tel Aviv, a team of 38 members of the mainly Ultra-Orthodox Zaka organisation was trying to gather up the body parts wedged inside the debris of fruit, vegetables and even lumps of cheese.
One volunteer could be seen unravelling a lettuce leaf by leaf to see if it contained bits of flesh and bone, struggling to fight against the nauseating smell of charred flesh.
Police and border guards cordoned off the market area in the immediate aftermath of the attack, apparently worried about the possibility of a secondary explosion.
“I heard a big boom, so I ran to see what was happening,” said 38-year-old Eli Malka, who has a pickles stand several hundred metres from the site of the blast.
“There were men and women shouting, in a state of hysteria. I was afraid there would be another bomber, so I walked away immediately.”
Anger at Arafat
Meir, who sells sandwiches in the market, struggled to keep his anger towards the Palestinians and their veteran leader, Yasser Arafat, under control.
“I am angry at every Palestinian, not at [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon. Sharon wants peace, Arafat doesn’t.
“I hope he dies. That would be good for everyone — Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
Arafat, frequently accused by Israel of giving the green light to suicide bombings, is currently being treated in France for a life-threatening blood disorder.
“Even if he’s lying on a hospital bed, he is responsible for what happened today,” said Meir, who would only give his first name.
Moti Tamam, who was one of the first police officer to reach the scene of the attack, said Arafat may not be directly to blame but he also wanted to see the back of the veteran leader.
“Those responsible are those who are saying they can solve this conflict by force,” he said.
“However, I believe that on our side we have the right leadership. The problem is that a new leadership is needed on the Palestinian side and I won’t be sorry if Arafat goes.” — Sapa-AFP
Market blast rocks Tel Aviv