Israel: Mega Car-Bombing Foiled In North,
Manhunt On For Terrorists

September 5, 2002

Police and security forces are engaged in a manhunt at this hour for two passengers of a booby-trapped car discovered near Binyamina, close to Hadera.

A second vehicle was apparently to have served as a getaway car.

The booby-trapped vehicle reportedly contained 600 kilograms (1350 pounds) of explosives hidden in several gas canisters, connected to a battery and a cellular telephone-operated detonation mechanism. A container of metal shrapnel and bolts were also found.

It was one of the biggest bombs the police had ever discovered, northern region police chief Yaacov Borovsky told Israel Radio. "I think that this morning a very great tragedy has been prevented."

Sappers safely blew up the vehicle in a controlled explosion earlier this morning.

Border police and volunteer forces ordered the occupants to stop for an inspection near Kibbutz Kfar Glickson.

They refused, fleeing the vehicle after a short chase near Givat Ada.

Large helicopter-assisted forces are searching the vicinity for the two suspects, who are believed to still be within Israel.

The two cars were headed in the general direction of the town of Hadera, where several Palestinian suicide bombings and shooting attacks have taken place in the past two years.

In addition, a high security alert is in effect throughout the north and police request drivers follow instructions at numerous roadblocks set up throughout the region.

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres termed the discovery of the vehicle "Great luck," adding, "If the car had exploded, it would have changed the face of the area."

David Baker, an official at the Prime Minister's Office, said the car bomb was the Palestinians' gift to Israelis for the Jewish New Year, which begins at sunset on Friday.

"A New Year tragedy has been averted and many Israeli lives have been saved." he told The Associated Press.

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