8 Killed in Hit-and-Run Attack

Feb. 14, 2001 -- A bus stop in the Israeli town of Azur was a scene of bloody carnage today when a Palestinian driver plowed a bus into a group of Israeli civilians and soldiers, killing eight and injuring at least nine others in the deadliest attack in more than five months. The victims were mostly soldiers.

A dramatic 10-mile chase with Israeli security forces followed, which came to an end when the bus driver, Khalil Abu Elba, crashed into a truck, sustaining serious injuries. He was apprehended and taken to the hospital.

Israel Radio said the dead were four female soldiers, three male soldiers and a civilian woman.

In Jerusalem, outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced that Palestinian-ruled areas were sealed off in response to what he described as a "serious terrorist attack." Barak said today's attack was an abominable crime and promised that anyone involved in the attack faced retaliation.

"We will make sure that whoever is responsible for this event by planning it, launching it or executing it will be brought to his real kind of penalty or punishment," he said.

But in Gaza City today, Hamas spokesman Ismael Abu Shanab said Israel could expect more such attacks in the future. "We will defend ourselves and we will protect ourselves form the Israeli attacks against our civilians," he said.

Scene of Bloody Carnage

In a statement released today, Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon said he took a "grave view" of the attack and promised to tighten security once he takes office.

Most experts believe Sharon won the Feb. 6 election with an overwhelming majority on the platform of bringing security to Israel. At the accident site, people held up signs saying it was time for Sharon to make good on that debt.

But as witnesses and onlookers gathered at the site of the deadliest attack in the region in more than five months, there was also a sense that today's incident only highlighted the need for peace. "We don't want them here," said an Israeli witness to today's tragedy. "They don't want us here. But there is no other solution. The only way is to sit and solve this problem — it's by sitting and negotiating."

Hours after the attack the bus stop at Azur was a scene of utter devastation. There were body bags everywhere as paramedics led dazed survivors away from the site where shoes and coats lay scattered on the bloodstained pavement. Paramedics were combing the area for scattered body parts.

Witnesses at the site told of the bus moving slowly down the road before suddenly picking up speed and hurtling into the people gathered at the bus stop, sending bodies flying.

It was not known if Elba, a Gaza resident and a father of five, was acting alone. A nephew of the 35-year-old Palestinian man whose job was to transport workers to Israel told ABCNEWS he had no political affiliations and had no record of trouble.

A spokesman for the Egged bus company for whom Elba worked said the Palestinian driver had worked with the company for five years and was cleared by security services to drive Palestinian workers into Israel.

Shock, Grief and Condemnations

Reactions to the attack have been pouring in from the international community. In Washington today, President Bush condemned the attack and called for an end to the violence. "I strongly condemn the terrible act of violence in the Middle East this morning," said Bush. "I'm urging all parties to do their utmost to end the violence."

Bush had earlier called on Barak to express his condolences to the families of those killed.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami also expressed regret for the attack. "There are no words to describe my pain and grief in the face of the recent terrorist attacks," he said in a statement. "The government of Israel is determined, as always, to do everything in its power to ensure the security and well being of its citizens."

Speaking in Ankara, Turkey, where he is on a visit, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said he was against the use of violence although he stopped short of condemning the bus attack. "Whatever the cause, we are against the use of violence and of course killing people," he said.

Increasing Violence

The attack came a day after Israeli forces assassinated one of Arafat's bodyguards. Israeli officials claimed Masoud Ayad, 54, was an agent of the Lebanese guerrilla organization Hezbollah.

In Gaza today, thousands of Palestinians accompanied Ayad's Palestinian-flag draped coffin in a funeral procession and promised revenge for his death.

In a separate attack in the West Bank town of Tulkarm today, Israeli security forces shot a Palestinian man after Israeli forces said he attempted to drive through a road block.

On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers also shot a 14-year-old Palestinian boy near the Karni crossing in Gaza.

The deaths put the number of dead in nearly five months of violence at about 400. Most of the dead have been Palestinians.

In Gaza last night, there were exchanges in which, at least 60 Palestinians were injured, said Palestinian officials. The exchange was heaviest in the Khan Yunis area.

ABCNEWS' Gillian Findlay in Jerusalem and John Berman in Washington contributed to this report.