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2007 Eilat bombing
Memorial to the victims of the suicide attack in Eilat
class=notpageimage| Location of Eilat in Israel
Native name	פיגוע ההתאבדות באילת
Location	Eilat, Israel
Coordinates	29°33′35″N 34°56′43″E / 29.55972°N 34.94528°E / 29.55972; 34.94528
Date	29 January 2007; 17 years ago (2007-01-29) c. 9:40
Attack type	Suicide attack
Deaths	3 civilians (+1 bomber)
Perpetrators	al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Islamic Jihad, Islamic Brigade claimed responsibility
Participant	1

The 2007 Eilat bombing occurred on 29 January 2007 when a Palestinian suicide bomber from the Gaza Strip infiltrated the northern suburbs of Eilat, Israel. Upon seeing the police approaching, he entered a neighbourhood bakery and detonated his bomb, killing three civilians: the bakery's co-owners and an employee.

In the midst of Palestinian factional violence, both the Islamic Jihad and the Fatah-affiliated al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed joint responsibility. A third Palestinian group called the Islamic Brigade which was not known also claimed responsibility for the attack along with the other two mentioned above.

Background

The suicide bomber was 21-year-old Muhammad Faisal al-Saqsaq of Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip. He had previously fought against Israeli troops in Jabalia and Beit Hanoun.

According to the Islamic Jihad, Saqsaq initially set out from the West Bank, and later on was smuggled into Jordan. From there he reached Eilat and was given the explosives by militants waiting for him there, after going through seven months of preparations.

Israeli Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter stated that the bomber infiltrated Israel from Egypt, echoing conclusions of the other intelligence agencies. Israel stated that the suicide bomber had infiltrated through the 220 kilometer Israeli-Egyptian border which is fenceless and patrolled by minimal IDF and Border Police forces. The suicide bomber possibly entered Egypt through a tunnel across the Philadelphi Corridor, and was then driven to the Egyptian/Israeli border, which he crossed on foot some 30 km from Eilat.

The attack

After infiltrating Israel on 29 January 2007, Saqsaq made his way to Eilat, and when he was in the Simchon neighborhood, he hitched with an Israeli man who was senior officer in the IDF reserves, Lt. Col. Yossi Waltinsky. Waltinsky stated later on in an interview with Channel 10 that he had suspected the hitchhiker was up to something, mainly due to his suspicious heavy clothing and lack of knowledge of Hebrew, nevertheless, he was not able do anything at that point until the suspicious passenger was out of his car. Waltinsky dropped the passenger off near a gas station, about a kilometer from where the attack took place. He immediately phoned the local police station, explaining his encounter and telling the police he believed the man was a terrorist. The call was made seven minutes before the attack came.

Upon receiving Waltinsky's call, two patrol cars were dispatched to investigate. Meanwhile, Saqsaq, who wore a long black winter coat on a warm sunny day, soon approached a small bakery. The local police later on stated that the suicide bomber was carrying the bomb in a backbag rather than an explosives belt.

Saqsaq apparently only stopped at the bakery for coffee, and planned to proceed to a final destination to detonate the bomb, but when he saw the police approaching, he detonated the bomb in the bakery.

This was Eilat's first suicide bombing, and the first attack to succeed against Israel since 17 April 2006 (others had been attempted, but thwarted by Israeli security forces). Although it was the first suicide bomb to hit the city which is a quiet Red Sea holiday resort, through the years there have been other acts of terror committed near Eilat.

The perpetrators

Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, together with two other terrorist groups. The bomber was identified as 21-year-old Muhammad Faisal al-Siksik from northern Gaza. Al-Siksik's family noted that he was missing for three days, but they knew he was going on a suicide bombing mission.

Aftermath

Near the site of the attack, a memorial was built in memory of the three people killed in the attack.

In the Gaza Strip, a large crowd gathered outside the perpetrator's home to praise the attack. "Mohammed be happy, You will go directly to heaven." the crowd chanted, while children held pictures of the perpetrator. He looked pensive in one image, and held a machine gun in another.

Government reactions

International

•  Germany: Germany, then-holder of the European Union presidency, condemned the attack "in the strongest terms." An EU presidency statement said Germany "urges the Palestinian leadership to do everything in its power to put an end to terror and bring to justice those who support terror."
•  Jordan: King Abdullah condemned the bombing, saying in a statement that "such attacks will only increase the sufferings of the Palestinians."
•  Sweden: Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt said, "I condemn today's terrorist attack in Eilat, Israel. Violence that targets civilians is totally unacceptable. The infighting among Palestinian groups is claiming more and more victims. Palestinian leaders must therefore take their responsibility and quickly find a way to resolve the crisis using peaceful means."
•  United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said, "We utterly condemn this morning's suicide attack in Eilat. There can be no justification for such attacks."
•  United States: White House spokesman Tony Snow said the responsibility of the bombing lies with the Palestinian Authority government. He added, "Failure to act against terror will inevitably affect relations between that government and the international community and undermine the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own."

See also

• List of Palestinian Islamic Jihad suicide attacks
• Palestinian political violence

References

1. McGirk, Tim (29 January 2007). "Terror Returns to Israel". Time. Jerusalem. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
2. Myre, Greg (29 January 2007). "Suicide Bomb Kills 3 in Bakery in Israel". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
3. Amichar, Rami (29 January 2007). "Suicide bomber kills 3 in Israel's Eilat resort". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
4. ^ "Three dead in Israel suicide bomb". BBC News. BBC. 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
5. "Family of suicide bomber consider him a hero". Israel Today. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
6. "Suicide bomber kills three in Israel". UPI. 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
7. ^ Levy-Stein, Revital; Issacharoff, Avi; Hasson, Nir; Lis, Jonathan (17 April 2006). "Eilat driver warned police about terrorist minutes before attack". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023.
8. "Peretz orders IDF to prepare for operations in Gaza". The Jerusalem Post. 29 January 2007.
9. "Bomber Strikes Israel Holiday Resort". Sky News. 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
10. "Past terror attacks in the Eilat area". Haaretz. 29 January 2007.
11. Suicide bomber kills 3 at Israeli bakery - AP, 29 January 2007
12. "EU slams Eilat bombing, calls it bid to derail peace process". Haaretz. 29 January 2007.
13. Suicide Attack Is First in Israel in 9 Months - The New York Times, 30 January 2007
14. Suicide Bomber Kills Three in Southern Israeli Resort Town Archived 5 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Sun, 29 January 2007
15. "EU 2007.de - The Council Presidency". Archived from the original on 4 January 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2007.
16. EU Presidency Statement on the suicide bombing in Eilat in Israel Archived 3 September 2012 at archive.today - EU2007.de, CFSP Statements, 29 January 2007
17. EU, U.S. slam Eilat bombing - Haaretz.com
18. "Carl Bildt condemns terrorist attack in Eilat" (Press release). Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden). 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 26 March 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
19. Britain condemns Israeli suicide bombing - Xinhua, 30 January 2007
20. BECKETT CONDEMNS SUICIDE BOMBING IN ISRAEL Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Foreign Policy News British Embassy Oslo, 29 January 2007
21. White House condemns bombing in Israel's Eilat Archived 19 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine - Reuters, 29 January 2007

v t e Prominent terrorist attacks against Israelis in the history of the Arab–Israeli conflict – the 2000s
2001	Murder of Ofir Rahum (January 17) Azor attack (February 14) Netanya bombing (March 4) Murder of Shalhevet Pass (March 26) Murders of Koby Mandell and Yosef Ishran (May 8) 1st HaSharon Mall bombing (May 18) Dolphinarium discotheque massacre (June 1) Killing of Yehuda Shoham (June 5) Binyamina train station bombing (July 16) Sbarro restaurant bombing (August 9) Nahariya train station bombing (September 9) Assassination of Rehavam Ze'evi (October 17) Camp 80 junction bus attack (November 29) Ben Yehuda Street Bombings (December 1) Haifa bus bombing (December 2) Immanuel bus attack (December 12)
2002	Hadera attack (January 18) Tel Aviv outdoor mall bombing (January 25) Jaffa Street bombing (January 27) Karnei Shomron Mall bombing (February 16) Ein 'Arik checkpoint attack (February 19) Yeshivat Beit Yisrael bombing (March 2) Wadi al-Haramiya sniper attack (March 3) Seafood Market attack (March 5) Café Moment bombing (March 9) Matzuva attack (March 12) Egged bus 823 bombing (March 20) King George Street bombing (March 21) Passover massacre (March 27) ‡ Kiryat HaYovel supermarket bombing (March 29) Matza restaurant bombing (March 31) Yagur Junction bombing (April 10) Mahane Yehuda bombing (April 12) Adora attack (April 27) Rishon LeZion bombing (May 7) Netanya Market bombing (May 19) Pi Glilot bombing attempt (May 23) Megiddo Junction bus bombing (June 5) Herzliya bombing (June 11) Patt Junction bus bombing (June 18) French Hill bombing (June 19) Itamar attack (June 20) Los Angeles Airport shooting (July 4) Immanuel bus attack (July 16) Neve Shaanan Street bombing (July 17) Hebrew University bombing (July 31) Meron Junction bus attack (August 4) Allenby Street bus bombing (September 19) Karkur junction bombing (October 21) Sonol gas station bombing (October 27) Metzer attack (November 10) Kiryat Menachem bus bombing (November 21) Mombasa attacks (November 28) Beit She'an attack (November 28) Yeshivat Otniel shooting (December 27)
2003	Tel Aviv central bus station massacre (January 5) Haifa bus bombing (March 5) Mike's Place bombing (April 30) French Hill bombings (May 18) Afula mall bombing (May 19) Davidka Square bus bombing (June 11) Route 60 Hamas attack (June 20) Murder of Oleg Shaichat (July 28) Shmuel HaNavi bus bombing (August 19) Tzrifin bus stop attack (September 9) Café Hillel bombing (September 9) Maxim restaurant bombing (October 4) Geha Interchange bus stop bombing (December 25)
2004	2004 Erez Crossing bombing (January 14) Gaza Street bus bombing (January 29) Liberty Bell Park bus bombing (February 22) Ashdod Port bombings (March 14) Murder of the Hatuel family (May 2) Tashkent embassy bombing (July 30) Beersheba bus bombings (August 31) Sinai bombings (October 7) Carmel Market bombing (November 1)
2005	Karni border crossing attack (January 13) Stage Club bombing (February 25) 2nd HaSharon Mall bombing (July 12) Shfar'am attack (August 4) Kidnapping and murder of Sasson Nuriel (September 21) Hadera Market bombing (October 26) 3rd HaSharon Mall bombing (December 5)
2006	1st Rosh Ha'ir restaurant bombing (January 19) Kedumim bombing (March 30) 2nd Rosh Ha'ir restaurant bombing (April 17) Murder of Eliyahu Asheri (June 25)
2007	Eilat bombing (January 29) Nahal Telem shooting (December 28)
2008	Dimona bombing (February 4) Jerusalem yeshiva attack (March 6) Jerusalem bulldozer attack (July 2) Jerusalem BMW attack (September 22)
2009	Bat Ayin axe attack (April 2) Killing of Rabbi Meir Hai (December 24)
Attacks launched from the West Bank   Attacks launched from the Gaza Strip   Attacks launched from Lebanon ‡ indicates the terrorist attack which caused the greatest amount of Israeli casualties during the 2000s Full list of Palestinian suicide attacks List of Israeli civilian casualties in the Second Intifada List of projectile attacks from Lebanon on Israel and the Golan Heights List of attacks from Lebanon Rocket attack on Eilat 1990s 2010s

v t e Prominent attacks by Palestinian militants in the 2000s
Within Israel	Azor attack (February 14, 2001) Netanya bombing (March 4, 2001) 1st HaSharon Mall entrance suicide bombing (May 18, 2001) Dolphinarium discotheque massacre (June 1, 2001) Binyamina train station suicide bombing (July 16, 2001) Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing (August 9, 2001) Nahariya train station suicide bombing (September 9, 2001) Camp 80 junction bus 823 attack (November 29, 2001) Ben Yehuda Street Bombings (December 1, 2001) Haifa bus 16 suicide bombing (December 2, 2001) Hadera attack (January 18, 2002) Tel Aviv outdoor mall bombing (January 25, 2002) Jaffa Street bombing (January 27, 2002) Karnei Shomron Mall suicide bombing (February 16, 2002) Yeshivat Beit Yisrael bombing (March 2, 2002) Seafood Market attack (March 5, 2002) Atzmona attack (March 7, 2002) Café Moment bombing (March 9, 2002) Matzuva attack (March 12, 2002) Egged bus 823 bombing (March 20, 2002) King George Street bombing (March 21, 2002) Passover massacre (March 27, 2002) Kiryat HaYovel supermarket bombing (March 29, 2002) Matza restaurant suicide bombing (March 31, 2002) Yagur Junction bombing (April 10, 2002) Mahane Yehuda Market bombing (April 12, 2002) Rishon LeZion bombing (May 7, 2002) Netanya Market bombing (May 19, 2002) Pi Glilot bombing attempt (May 23, 2002) Megiddo Junction bus bombing (June 5, 2002) Herzliya shawarma restaurant bombing (June 11, 2002) Patt Junction bus bombing (June 18, 2002) Neve Shaanan Street bombing (July 17, 2002) Hebrew University bombing (July 31, 2002) Meron Junction Bus 361 attack (August 4, 2002) Allenby Street bus bombing (September 19, 2002) Karkur junction suicide bombing (October 21, 2002) Metzer attack (November 2, 2002) Kiryat Menachem bus bombing (November 21, 2002) Beit She'an attack (November 28, 2002) Tel Aviv central bus station massacre (January 5, 2003) Haifa bus 37 suicide bombing (March 5, 2003) Mike's Place suicide bombing (April 30, 2003) Jerusalem bombings (May 18, 2003) Afula mall bombing (May 19, 2003) Davidka Square bus bombing (June 11, 2003) Murder of Oleg Shaichat (July 28, 2003) Shmuel HaNavi bus bombing (August 19, 2003) Tzrifin bus stop attack (September 9, 2003) Café Hillel bombing (September 9, 2003) Maxim restaurant suicide bombing (October 4, 2003) Geha Interchange bus stop bombing (December 25, 2003) 2004 Erez Crossing bombing (January 14, 2004) Gaza Street bus bombing (January 29, 2004) Liberty Bell Park bus bombing (February 22, 2004) Ashdod Port bombings (March 14, 2004) Beersheba bus bombings (August 31, 2004) Carmel Market bombing (November 1, 2004) Karni border crossing attack (January 13, 2005) Stage Club bombing (February 25, 2005) 2nd HaSharon Mall entrance suicide bombing (July 12, 2005) Hadera Market bombing (October 26, 2005) 3rd HaSharon Mall entrance suicide bombing (December 5, 2005) 2nd Rosh Ha'ir restaurant bombing (April 17, 2006) Gaza cross-border raid (June 25, 2006) Eilat bakery bombing (January 29, 2007) Dimona suicide bombing (February 4, 2008) Jerusalem yeshiva attack (March 6, 2008) Jerusalem bulldozer attack (July 2, 2008) Jerusalem BMW attack (September 22, 2008)
West Bank	Ramallah lynching (October 12, 2000) Murder of Ofir Rahum (January 17, 2001) Assassination of the Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam Ze'evi (October 17, 2001) Murder of Shalhevet Pass (March 26, 2001) Palestinian fatal stoning attack (June 5, 2001) Immanuel bus attack (December 12, 2001) Ein 'Arik checkpoint attack (19 February 2002) Wadi al-Haramiya sniper attack (March 3, 2002) French Hill Junction suicide bombing (June 19, 2002) Itamar attack (June 20, 2002) Immanuel bus attack (July 16, 2002) Sonol gas station bombing (October 27, 2002) Hebron ambush (November 15, 2002) Yeshivat Otniel shooting (December 27, 2002) Kidnapping and murder of Sasson Nuriel (September 21, 2005) Kedumim bombing (March 30, 2006) Murder of Eliyahu Asheri (June 25, 2006) Nahal Telem shooting (December 28, 2007) Bat Ayin axe attack (April 2, 2009) Killing of Rabbi Meir Hai (December 24, 2009)
Gaza Strip	Kissufim tank ambush ‎(September 5, 2002) Murder of the Hatuel family (May 2, 2004) IDF outpost bombing attack (December 12, 2004)
Worldwide	Sinai bombings (October 7, 2004)
Attacks launched from Lebanon Attacks launched from the West Bank Attacks launched from the Gaza Strip 1990s 2010s

• Suicide bombings in 2007
• Attacks on bakeries
• Eilat in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
• Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine attacks
• Suicide bombing in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
• Terrorist incidents in Israel in 2007
• Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades attacks
• January 2007 events in Asia
• Building bombings in Israel
• 2007 murders in Israel
• January 2007 crimes
• 2007 building bombings
• Mass murder in 2007
• 21st-century mass murder in Israel