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Israeli Planes Hit Terrorist Bases; Katyusha Rockets Hit North Galilee

May 25, 1979
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Terrorist at tacks and Israeli retaliatory raids against their strongholds in Lebanon continued for the second day as funeral services were held for the victims of yesterday’s bombing outrage in Petach Tikva. The tragedy in Petach Tikva was the latest in the escalating terrorist campaign against Israeli civilians for which the Palestine Liberation Organization claimed responsibility.

Israel Air Force jets pounded terrorist targets in Damour township south of Beirut last night and also reportedly bombed Na’Sam village in Lebanon. The Air Force was in action again this morning, attacking terrorist concentrations in Lebanon. A military communique did not identify the targets. It said the Israeli planes engaged last night and this morning all returned safely to their bases.

Two Israelis were injured when a barrage of Katyusha rockets slammed into a house in a settlement in northern Galilee and exploded under a bed. Israeli artillery returned the fire. Another person was slightly injured when a bomb exploded at the entrance to a supermarket in the Ramot Eshkol section of Jerusalem this afternoon.

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR VICTIMS

In Petach Tikva, funeral services were held for Shulamit Abu Draham, 33, and her 18-month-old daughter Zehavit, who were fatally wounded when a bomb concealed on top of a bus stop shelter exploded, showering people on the waiting line with fragments. Also killed was Sara Eichnbaum, 51, a Holocaust survivor. She was buried today in her home town of Moshav Mazor near Petach Tikva. Seven of the 12 people injured were still hospitalized today. One of them, Miryam Flesch, 60, of Moshav Mazor, was reported in serious condition after major surgery and is in an intensive care unit

The explosion in Jerusalem occurred shortly after 1 p.m. local time when the supermarket was relatively uncrowded. Police said the explosive device was concealed in a flower pot brought into the store, by an unidentified young woman. She left it with the guard at the door and departed. Shortly afterwards, the device exploded. Police are searching for the suspect. The supermarket was reopened later in the afternoon.

The rocket attack on Galilee settlements was apparently in retaliation for last night’s air raid on Damour. One salvo exploded near a settlement causing no casualties or damage but a second barrage scored a direct hit on a residential building. The PLO radio in Beirut claimed today that 14 Palestinians and a Lebanese were killed by the Israeli air raid and 50 other persons injured. The Israeli planes were reported to have scored direct hits on four terrorist command posts.

Mrs. Abu Draham, a member of a well known Jewish family from Moracco, left three other children aged 10, 12 and 13 and an ailing husband who underwent surgery eight months ago Mrs. Eichabaum, who lived through the Holocaust, was on her way home to Moshav Mazor after having registered for a summer vacation with her husband. She had bought a new vase for her daughter. The splintered vase was found near the bus stop.

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