Terror in capital: A 59-year-old woman was killed and dozens of people were wounded Wednesday afternoon after an explosive device was detonated in a phone booth near the Jerusalem Convention Center.
Medical officials 39 people were hurt in the blast, including three who were seriously hurt. Five other victims were moderately wounded and the rest sustained light injuries.
Most victims are young, aged 15-30, said Shaare Zedek Medical Center Deputy Director, Ovadia Shemesh. Two of the victims are older, he said.
Police say the explosion was caused by a device placed at a telephone booth near a bus stop.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency consultation session in his office following the attack.
President Barack Obama released the following statement today:
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad criticized the bombing in Jerusalem on Wednesday.I condemn in the strongest possible terms the bombing in Jerusalem today, as well as the rockets and mortars fired from Gaza in recent days. Together with the American people, I offer my deepest condolences for those injured or killed. There is never any possible justification for terrorism. The United States calls on the groups responsible to end these attacks at once and we underscore that Israel, like all nations, has a right to self-defense. We also express our deepest condolences for the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza yesterday. We stress the importance of calm and urge all parties to do everything in their power to prevent further violence and civilian casualties.
"We are following the news closely,Although there is not enough information about the attack that injured 20 people, I resolutely denounce this terrorist attack no matter who stands behind it."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak addressed the bus bombing in Jerusalem on Wednesday, shortly after returning from the United States, prior to entering into a briefing with Chief of General-Staff Benny Gantz and Homeland Security Minister Matan Vilna'i.
"We cannot tolerate attacks on Israeli citizens, not in the southern communities and not in Jerusalem."
"Hamas is responsible for the firing of rockets at Beersheba today and that responsibility has a price."
"The IDF will continue to act in order to protect citizens of the country and take preemptive action along the Gaza border fence, There will be highs and lows; not everything will end tomorrow, but we are determined to return the quiet and security."
Interior Minister Eli Yishai called for Israel to act after the bombing in Jerusalem and the rocket attacks in the south, while visiting the scene of the explosion.
"I see the escalation is already here in a number of fronts - in the south and also in Jerusalem, recent events require us to take action. If we don't do this we will lose our power of deterrence."
"I think it would be better not to say what to do or not do, but to require us to take action."
Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the "callous and disgusting act of terrorism" following the explosion in Jerusalem:
“The news of an explosion on a bus in Jerusalem is shocking and deeply distressing. We are urgently seeking further information about the cause of the explosion, which has caused appalling death and injury. I send my sincere condolences to all those who have been affected and my sympathy to the people of Israel as they come to terms with this news. This appears to have been a callous and disgusting act of terrorism directed against innocent civilians which I condemn unreservedly. I would like to express the UK’s unwavering support for the people of Israel in the face of such horrific acts.”
