2001 Azor attack
Terrorist attack near Azor, Israel
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On 14 February 2001, a vehicular attack took place near Azor, Israel. A Palestinian man from Gaza drove a bus into a group of Israeli soldiers who stood at a bus stop at Azor junction, killing eight people—seven soldiers and one civilian, and injuring 26 further.[1] The Islamist militant organization Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.[2]
Azor junction, Israel
| 2001 Azor attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of The Second Intifada | |
The attack aftermath | |
  The attack site | |
| Location | 32°01′16″N 34°48′21″E Azor junction, Israel |
| Date | 14 February 2001 |
Attack type | Vehicle-ramming attack |
| Deaths | 8 (7 soldiers, 1 civilian) |
| Injured | 26 |
| Perpetrator | Hamas claimed responsibility |
| Assailant | Khalil Abu-Alba |
Attack
The attacker, 35-year old Khalil Abu Alba from Gaza, was a bus driver who used to drive Arab workers in the morning from his city toward Tel Aviv. He had been an Egged bus driver for five years before the attack.[3]
On 14 February, after dropping off as usual the Arab workers at Lod and Ramle, he drove toward Holon. When arriving Azor junction, he noticed a group of Israeli soldiers waiting at a bus stop. The attacker accelerated the bus, and sharply swerved to the right, hitting dozens of people. He killed eight people, seven soldiers and one civilian, and injured 26.[4]
After the attack he drove the bus quickly southwards towards Gaza. The bus was stopped only after crashing into a truck 30km away after police officers had shot at its wheels.[2]