Monday Jul 14, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Commentary

How did the Jerusalem bombings slip under the radar?

It is clear that the attacks were orchestrated by an organized and experienced cell, rather than a lone terrorist. The twin bombings certainly required months of preparations that should not have gone unnoticed by the security establishment.

by  Lilach Shoval
Published on  11-24-2022 09:47
Last modified: 11-24-2022 12:50
How did the Jerusalem bombings slip under the radar?Oren Ben Hakoon

The scene of the Jerusalem twin bombing | Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Every person who lived in Jerusalem 20 years ago couldn't help but shudder at the news of the twin bombing attack in the capital on Wednesday.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Decades ago, such explosions were almost a daily occurrence on buses or at cafes, and the emotional scars are still deeply engraved in the souls of those who experienced the events up close.

Video: Article 27/Israel Intellectual Property Law

It's not that Jerusalem hasn't had any attacks in the past 20 years, on the contrary, but none of them were as reminiscent of the past, not in the means, location or sights.

Since the beginning of the current terror wave, the security system has stuck to the explanation that the attacks were mostly perpetrated by lone terrorists, usually with problematic personal backgrounds of some kind, who woke up in the morning – many times having been "inspired" by previous incidents – and decided to step out and attack without warning. In these cases, the defense establishment's position regarding the difficulty in predicting those dangers is quite logical.

But Wednesday's twin attacks in Jerusalem were different. The preparation of the bombs required the production or obtaining of explosive material, the collection of early intelligence, coordination in placing the explosives at two different and distant bus stops, leaving the scene, and timing the activation of both charges at the same time. There is no doubt that this time, it was not a lone terrorist behind the attack, but an organized cell. The preparations must have taken months and should not have gone unnoticed by the Shin Bet security agency, which was silent in the aftermath of the attack.

It's possible that the agency knew that something was in the works. Just at the beginning of the week, there were reports of a burned vehicle on Palestinian territory near an IDF location in Judea and Samaria that had wires indicating remote activation inside and other elements suspected of being explosives.

The Shin Bet said that the incident was being investigated, but perhaps that investigation was not fast enough. Since Wednesday morning, the security establishment's main goal has been to locate where the explosives originated from and destroy that infrastructure. The second, just as important, goal is to locate and arrest those responsible for the attack and who aided them.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Related Posts

There is no concentration camp in GazaAbdel Kareem Hana/AP

There is no concentration camp in Gaza

by Zina Rakhamilova

Holocaust inversion is not a casual misstep. It is a deliberate weapon used to delegitimize Israel and cast Jews, once...

Who dares disturb the Lion and the Lioness?None

Who dares disturb the Lion and the Lioness?

by Dror Eydar

We are a people who believe in the power of the written and spoken word. That’s why the glaring lack...

At a crossroads: The path to a deal – or to warReuters

At a crossroads: The path to a deal – or to war

by Yoav Limor

The IDF’s continued presence in Gaza during a potential ceasefire has emerged as the primary obstacle to a hostage deal. The...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il