Sbarro Pizzeria Bombing Kills 15 in Jerusalem
Suicide attack on crowded restaurant shocks Jerusalem as Second Intifada violence escalates
The Attack
A Palestinian suicide bomber detonated explosives at the crowded Sbarro pizzeria on the corner of King George Street and Jaffa Road in central Jerusalem, killing 15 people including 7 children and a pregnant woman. The lunchtime attack wounded 130 others.
Attack Details
Location significance:
- One of Jerusalem’s busiest intersections
- Popular family restaurant
- Summer vacation period with many families present
- Maximum civilian impact achieved
Victims
The dead included five members of one family, highlighting the attack’s devastating impact on civilians. Among the victims were tourists from the United States and Brazil, underscoring the international dimension of the violence.
Claiming Responsibility
Islamic Jihad and Hamas
Both Islamic Jihad and Hamas initially claimed responsibility for the attack, later attributed to Izz ad-Din Shuheil al-Masri, a 22-year-old from Jenin.
“This heroic operation demonstrates our ability to strike anywhere in the Zionist entity,” - Islamic Jihad statement
Israeli Response
Immediate Security Measures
- Closure of West Bank and Gaza Strip
- F-16 strikes on Palestinian security installations
- Demolition of bomber’s family home
- Enhanced security at public venues
Political Ramifications
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon faced pressure from both:
- Right-wing: Demands for massive military retaliation
- International community: Calls for restraint and return to negotiations
Diplomatic Fallout
Mitchell Report Implementation Stalls
The attack effectively ended attempts to implement the Mitchell Report recommendations for ending violence:
- Immediate ceasefire prospects dimmed
- Confidence-building measures abandoned
- International mediation efforts complicated
- Public support for peace process eroded
International Condemnation
- United States: “No cause justifies terrorism against innocents”
- European Union: Called attack “barbaric” while urging measured response
- Palestinian Authority: Yasser Arafat condemned attack under international pressure
Second Intifada Escalation
The Sbarro bombing marked a significant escalation in Second Intifada violence:
- Shift to high-casualty attacks in Israeli cities
- Israeli public opinion hardened against negotiations
- Security barrier plans accelerated
- Targeted assassination policy intensified
Cycle of Violence
The attack triggered a familiar pattern: Israeli military strikes, Palestinian casualties, international intervention attempts, and preparation for next round of violence - a cycle that would define the coming years of conflict.