By Jesse Lempel/TPS
Jerusalem (TPS) – The Hamas operative who detonated a bomb on a Jerusalem bus this week has died in an Israeli hospital, the Israeli police confirmed on Thursday, partially lifting a gag order on the investigation. A police spokesperson further revealed that several other suspects have been arrested.
Abdel Hamid Abu Srour, a 19-year-old Hamas operative from the town of Beit Jala near Bethlehem, detonated an explosive device on the number 12 public bus in Jerusalem on Monday, injuring 20 people, including one seriously. Abu Srour died of his wounds on Wednesday in Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. The Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) characterized the bombing as a “suicide attack.”
The police, Shin Bet, and IDF conducted extensive raids in Bethlehem on Tuesday, arresting multiple Hamas activists who are suspected of helping Abu Srour plan and carry out the terror attack.
Further details of the investigation remain under a gag order.
Following Abu Srour’s death on Wednesday evening, the Hamas terror organization claimed responsibility for the attack and called him a “martyr.” Spontaneous celebrations erupted in Bethlehem and Gaza, with people passing out candy in the streets to celebrate the bus bombing.
Four victims of the terror attack are being treated at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center. Three are in the intensive care unit on respirators, said Hadassah spokeswoman Hadar Elboim on Thursday.
“We will locate the men who created this bomb, we will reach the men who sent the bomber as well as the ones behind them,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after Monday’s terror attack. “We will settle the account with these terrorists.”