Two bombs exploded in the Old City yesterday, one of them injuring seven persons–four Jews and three Arabs. The Palestine Liberation Organization claimed responsibility for the bombings in an announcement from Beirut today. Thirty suspects were detained here.
All but one of the injured were released from the hospital after treatment. An Australian tourist, Kenneth Baronti, was still hospitalized today for moderate injuries. The first explosion occurred at about 9 a.m. local time near the Old City’s northern wall between western Jerusalem and Jaffa Gate. No one was hurt and there was no damage. A half hour later a second bomb exploded outside a souvenir shop in the crowded market place injuring seven.
Jerusalem Police Chief Zvi Ben Eliahu sharply criticized shopkeepers for not being more alert for suspicious-looking objects. The police have distributed flyers in Arabic to all shopkeepers instructing them how to guard against bombs and how to report suspicious objects to the police. But these warnings were apparently disregarded, Ben Eliahu said.
At least 16 persons have been injured in terrorist bombings in the Old City in the past three months. All of the explosives were planted on Saturdays, calculated to take a heavy toll among the throngs of Sabbath shoppers. Five of the bombs were discovered and dismantled before they detonated.
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