The two Israeli Arabs killed when a bomb exploded in their pick-up truck outside the central bus station here yesterday morning were identified today. Security sources said they were victims of their own device which they had intended to plant in the bus terminal although neither man had a record of past contacts with extremist or terrorist groups.
The dead are Issa Ismail Yousouf, 43, a dealer in Arabic books in Kfar Kassem village who owned the Ford pick-up truck and George Theodori, 24, an employe of the East Jerusalem Electric Corp., an independent utility that supplies East Jerusalem and neighboring villages with electricity.
Yousouf was described as a wealthy man of a respectable family. His relatives said today that the bomb — 5 kgs. of high explosives — was placed in his truck without his knowledge. But security sources believe Yousouf was employed by terrorists to transport the bomb because his vehicle carried Israeli license plates that would not arouse suspicion in Tel Aviv. They are also investigating whether Theodori, an electrical engineer, might not have been engaged In preparing bombs and timing devices.
According to security sources, the bomb intended for the bus station was set to detonate in midmorning. However, unusual traffic jams may have caused a fatal delay, they said, or, alternatively, the bomb may have exploded when the truck was brought to a sudden stop. In any event; numerous lives were spared. The explosion caused slight injuries to five passers-by from flying glass. There were no other fatalities.
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